Serotype Distribution and Characteristics of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolated from Pediatric Patients in Kunming, China

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is the main conditional pathogen of acute respiratory infection in infants, children, and older adults worldwide. It was great significant to identify the epidemic characteristics of serotypes and antibiotic susceptibility for the prevention and treatment of S. pneumoniae diseases. This research assessed the serotype distribution and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of S. pneumoniae isolated from pediatric patients to provide information on the epidemiology and antibiotic resistance of S. pneumoniae in Kunming, China. A total of 140 S. pneumoniae isolates were collected from pediatric patients at Kunming Children’s Hospital from January 2016 to October 2017. Serotype identification was done by Quellung reaction and multiplex polymerase chain reaction. MICs were determined by E-test. 140 isolates distributed in 13 types of serotypes. The top-three prevalent serotypes were 19F, 19A, and 6B. The immunization coverage rate of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was relatively higher and should be introduced into the vaccination program in the region. MIC(50) of penicillin, ceftriaxone, and levofloxacin was 1 μg/mL. MIC(50) for meropenem and vancomycin was 0.38 μg/mL. MIC(90) of penicillin, ceftriaxone, and levofloxacin was 1.5 μg/mL and that of meropenem and vancomycin was 0.5 μg/mL. The MIC(90) of erythromycin was > 256 μg/mL. In summary, S. pneumoniae had low resistance rates to penicillin, ceftriaxone, levofloxacin, vancomycin, and meropenem, and these antibiotics could be the first-line agents for children with pneumococcal infections in Kunming.