Surveillance of invasive in Streptococcus pneumoniae in Argentina 1994–2007: Changes in serotype
distribution, serotype coverage of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and antibiotic resistance
Affiliations: Hospital Carlos G. Durand, Buenos Aires,
Argentina | Department of Bacteriology, National Institute of
Infectious Diseases (INEI) – ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbran", Buenos Aires,
Argentina | Pan American Health Organization, Quito, Ecuador
Abstract: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a prevalent cause of invasive diseases
in children, justifying continuous surveillance programs such as by the SIREVA
group (Pan American Health Organization). The aim of this study was to
determine the serotype distribution of S. pneumoniae causing invasive
disease in children < 6 years old, the serotype coverage of the
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 7-valent (PCV7), 10-valent (PCV10) and 13-valent
(PCV13), and antibiotic resistance, from 1994 to 2007. During this period, 2205
invasive S. pneumoniae were included in the study. Although 49 different
capsular types were identified, 12 serotypes accounted for 86% of all
isolates. These were prevalent throughout the study period with serotype 14
predominating. Penicillin non-susceptible S. pneumoniae was detected in
33.2% of all isolates. The coverage of PCV7, PCV10 and PCV13 from 2004 to
2007 for children < 2 years old was 51.7%, 72.4% and 84.5%,
respectively. The data demonstrates a decline in serotype 14, and an increase
in serotypes 1 and 19A in the study period. Resistance to penicillin and
trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole decreased, while resistance to erythromycin
increased. These results demonstrate the need for the introduction of a
conjugate pneumococcal vaccine and continuing surveillance to monitor changes
in serotypes distribution and antimicrobial resistance.
Keywords: Invasive pneumococcal diseases, S. pneumoniae, epidemiology, infectious diseases
