The decline of pneumococcal resistance after cessation of mass antibiotic distributions for trachoma

Clin Infect Dis. 2010 Sep 1;51(5):571-4. doi: 10.1086/655697.

Abstract

After 6 biannual mass distributions of oral azithromycin for trachoma in Ethiopian communities, 76.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 66.3%-85.1%) of nasopharyngeal Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from children aged 1-5 years were resistant to macrolides. Twelve and 24 months after the last azithromycin treatment, resistance decreased to 30.6% (95% CI, 18.8%-40.4%; P <.001 ) and 20.8% (95% CI, 12.7%-30.7%; P < .001), respectively. Macrolide resistance decreases after antibiotic pressure is removed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Ethiopia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Pneumococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Pneumococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Pneumococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / drug effects*
  • Trachoma / epidemiology
  • Trachoma / microbiology
  • Trachoma / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents