High incidence of penicillin resistance amongst clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae in northern Palestine

One hundred and thirteen consecutive isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae w ere collected in Nablus, Palestine between March and Aug. 1997 from childre n,vith acute lower respiratory tract infections. Resistance rates were: pen icillin 88%, cefuroxime 85%, erythromycin 63%, tetracycline 45%, chloramphe nicol 27% and ofloxacin 2%. Resistances to erythromycin and cefuroxime were significantly associated with penicillin resistance. Ofloxacin may be usef ul against pneumococci resistant to traditional antimicrobial agents. Facto rs associated with penicillin resistance included hospitalisation and previ ous use of beta-lactam antibiotics.