PENICILLIN RESISTANCE IN LABORATORY ISOLATES OF STREPTOCOCCUS-PNEUMONIAE, IN WESTERN-AUSTRALIA, 1990-1994

Increasing frequency of penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumon iae has been reported worldwide. We report on clinical isolates of pen icillin-resistant pneumococci (PRP) in Western Australia (WA) from 199 0-1994. A retrospective survey of laboratories performing susceptibili ty testing, or receiving isolates referred from rural areas found resi stant on oxacillin disc screening, was undertaken. Four of 11 laborato ries could provide data for the five year time period inclusive. Infor mation was provided on susceptibility to penicillin, type of specimen, date of isolation and; age, sex and race of individuals with PRP Peni cillin resistance increased from 1.3 % to 9.0 % over the five year per iod. PRP were rarely invasive. Highest age specific rates per 100,000 were found in children < 5 years (19.4) and adults greater than or equ al to 60 years (5.1). Aboriginal ethnicity was associated with resista nce. The increasing frequency of PRP in WA indicates the need for surv eillance systems for their detection.