Update on antimicrobial susceptibility trends among Streptococcus pneumoniae in the United States: report of ceftaroline activity from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (1998-2011)

A 14-year longitudinal survey of Streptococcus pneumoniae (18,911) strains by the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program shows significant increases in resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanate (18.9%), penicillin at a MIC of >= 4 mu g/mL (14.8%), and ceftriaxone (11.7%) among 2011 isolates. Fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin; 98.8% susceptible) and ceftaroline (99.1-100.0% susceptible depending on breakpoint criteria) exhibited high levels of potency, as did linezolid, tigecycline, and vancomycin (100.0%). In summary, resistance rates to several antimicrobials continue to rise after introductions of both pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, as noted from these results for 1998 through 2011. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.