Comparison Of Disk Diffusion, E-Test And Agar Dilution Methods For Testing Susceptibility Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae To Cephalosporins

Strep. pneumoniae remains an important cause of morbidityand mortality inspite of the advent of powerful antibiotic and othermedical advances. The past twenty years have witnessed a dramaticincrease in the incidence of Strep. pneumoniae which are resistant topenicillin and cephalosporins as well as other antimicrobial agents.The aim of this work was to assess the susceptibility of Strep.pneumoniae against cephalosporins through using disc diffusion, agardilution and E-test methods.This work was carried out in Microbiology and ImmunologyDepartment in Zagazig University during the period from May 2003to July 2004. The study included 180 patients; 105 males and 75females. Their ages ranged from 8 to 67 years (35.2+20.4) . Thepatients attended the outpatient clinics and inpatient wards of Chestand ENT Departments, Zagazig University Hospital and ZagazigChest Hospital. Ninety patients were presented with pneumonia, thirtyfive with COPD, and fifty five with acute otitis media.Clinical specimens were collected from all patients undercomplete aseptic conditions including gastric lavage, bronchial lavage,morning sputum samples and bacteriological swabs fromnasopharyngeal and middle ears fluids.