Drug resistant streptococcus pneumoniae in lower Assam: A hospital based study

Introduction: Drug resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (DRSP) is a common problem-afflicting world over. Delay in isolation of pathogens and rapidly evolving drug resistance globally are making the effective management of condition like CAP, especially in developing countries, very challenging. Empirical therapy, based on knowledge of local drug resistance pattern is the mainstay. This study was a preliminary work in DRSP from CAP subjects. Aim: Identification of common agents of our CAP subjects and to study the pattern of drug resistant isolates. Methods: Semi quantitative culture method was employed on sputum sample followed by drug sensitivity testing based on disc diffusion technique. Results: Adult CAP was found to be more common in middle-aged to elderly male with Strpetococcus pneumoniae in more than one fourth of the subjects. Beta lactam resistance in Pneumococci was high and drug resistance in other agents were found to be of moderate to high level. Conclusion: DRSP is a menace and it needs to be contained urgently. A larger study with more intensive experimental component is the need of the hour.