PNEUMOCOCCAL INFECTIONS IN AN ADULT-POPUL ATION AT THE POITIERS-UNIVERSITY-HOSPITAL - EPIDEMILOGICAL AND CLINICAL-EVALUATION

OBJECTIVES: The aim ci this study was to assess the prevalence of peni cillin-nonsusceptible pneumococcus (PNSP) infections and their clinica l and microbiological features among an adult population hospitalized at the Poitiers University Hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospecti ve study was conducted between November 1994 and October 1995 and incl uded all pneumococcus infections. RESULTS: Fifty-three adults with one pneumococcal strain were included. The overall rate of PNSP strains w as 28%. Infections With PNSP strains were more resistant than penicill in-susceptible pneumococcus to other antibiotics. The most frequent in fection was pneumonia (36 infections, 28% PNSP). DISCUSSION: The rate of PNSP in pneumococcal infections was the same in the Poitiers Univer sity Hospital as in national surveys in France. The high percentage of multiresistant strains (86.5%) limit the use of antibiotics other tha n beta-lactams. Surveys of pneumococcal resistance to antibiotics are needed to adapt antibiotic strategies to the local epidemiological sit uation. (C) 1998, Masson, Paris.