Antimicrobial susceptibility of invasive S. pneumoniae 2006
Please note: As of 1 July 2025, the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science) is the new name for the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). Research and reports published prior to this date may reference the organisation’s former name.
Summary
The antimicrobial susceptibility of all 522 viable invasive isolates of S. pneumoniae referred to ESR in 2006 was tested. 15.9% (83) were penicillin nonsusceptible (MIC ≥0.12 mg/L): 7.9% (41) resistant (MIC ≥2 mg/L) and 8.1% (42) intermediate (MIC 0.12-1 mg/L). Over the last decade there has been considerable variation in the prevalence of penicillin resistance, with a significant increase between 1995 and 1998-9, a decrease between 1999 and 2002, then an increase again until 2004 after which there has been little change (Figure 1). Penicillin nonsusceptibility increased between 1995 and 1999, but there has been no significant change since then.