ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT PNEUMOCOCCI

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the more common pathogens to cause both focal and serious systemic illness in children. Although resistan ce to antibiotics by the pneumococcus has been recognized for many yea rs, only recently has widespread resistance to penicillin and other an tibiotics become common in many parts of the world, including the Unit ed States, where the prevalence of these organisms is rapidly increasi ng. Pneumococcal resistance to penicillin and other antimicrobial agen ts has forced a re-evaluation of empiric therapy for pneumococcal infe ctions and made the need for improved pneumococcal Vaccines in childre n more urgent.