Invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae in Perth teaching hospitals, 1990 to 1994

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae causes pneumonia, otitis media and meningitis. Reports of penicillin resistance and the development of vaccines highlight the need for baseline information about pneumococcal disease in Australia. We surveyed Perth teaching hospital laboratory records for the period 1990 to 1994 for isolates of S. pneumoniae recovered from normally sterile sites, and obtained isolate and patient demographic information. Highest rates of invasive disease were found at the extremes of age and were associated with Aboriginality. Isolates were rarely penicillin resistant. Surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease will be of importance in monitoring the emergence of penicillin resistance and the impact of conjugate vaccines. Comm Dis Intell 1997;21;73-76.