The Pneumococcus Observatory of central France. Data collected between June 1, 1997, and May 31, 1998.

714 pneumococcus were listed from 14 laboratories between the 1 June 1997 a nd the 31 May 1998. Data capture was done on Epi info software and concerne d age, file number, consultation/hospitalization, sample type, susceptibili ty to oxacilline (5 mu g), the results of the E-test(R) for penicillin G, a moxicillin, cefotaxime and the results of the routine disk diffusion suscep tibility method. Strains with reduced susceptibility to penicillin G (PRSP) were collected by the coordinating center to perform MICs by the reference method of agar dilution and serotyping. Over 714 strains, 45.7% of the sam ples originated from lungs, followed by 22% for blood samples, 14% for ear pus and 2.3% for CSF. 34% of the patients were female. 36.7% were children under 16 (57.8% PRSP) and 63.3% were adults (41% PRSP). 338 strains (47.3%) were determined as PRSP and 293 of them were studied by the coordinating c enter. 81 of the 293 PRSP (27,7%) were resistant et 212 (72.3%) were interm ediate to penicillin G. 81% of the PRSP studied had a CMI value for penicil lin G within +/-1 log2 dilution. 20 strains of PRSP were resistant for amox icillin (6.8% of the PRSP) and two (0.7% of the PRSP) for cefotaxime. 289 s erotyping were done, most met serotypes were 23 (25%), 14 (23%). The least met was 15 (2,4%). These results let assess the epidemiology of pneumococcu s in our region.