Editorial

Sentinel Surveillance for Streptococcus pneumoniae Antibiotic Nonsusceptibility

Authors: Robertino Mera, MD, PhD

Abstract

Most outpatient illnesses caused by S pneumoniae tend to be treated empirically, without identification of the organism. Accurate, community-specific drug-resistant S pneumoniae surveillance is critical in helping determine initial therapy. Consequently, clinicians in areas with a low percentage of high-level penicillin resistance might gain confidence in treating presumptive outpatient infections with an appropriate antibiotic, thereby reducing the risk for multidrug resistance.

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