FAILURE OF PRISTINAMYCIN TREATMENT IN A CASE OF PNEUMOCOCCAL PNEUMONIA

A case of pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae occurring in a patient receiving pristinamycin is reported. Despite empirical treatme nt with pristinamycin, 2 g/day for five days, the patient's condition worsened. Protected brush specimen and blood cultures permitted isolat ion of Streptococcus pneumoniae. MIC testing indicated that the strain was susceptible to pristinamycin and resistant to erythromycin and pe nicillin. Streptococcus pneumoniae was eradicated by cefotaxime, and p neumonia resolved. This case underlines the fact that pristinamycin ma y not be suitable for the treatment of multiresistant pneumococcal inf ections.