Nasopharyngeal (NP) carriage of penicillin resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) in HIV exposed and infected children

Children with chronic illnesses who receive frequent antimicrobials and also have frequent contact with hospital enviroment may have increased carriage of resistant organisms. PRSP has been associated with frequent antimicrobial use. Children with HIV infection may have higher NP carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) and an increased risk of PRSP colonization. Our objective was to determine the incidence of NP carriage of PRSP in HIV exposed and infected children. Methods: NP swabs were performed in 42 HIV exposed and 40 HIV infected children. Results: Sp was isolated from 9 (21%) HIV exposed and 2 (5%) HIV infected children (p= .049). The incidence of PRSP in the HIV exposed children was 33%. All isolates from the HIV-infected group were susceptible to penicillin. 22 of the HIV infected patients were recieving TMP/SMZ for PCP prophylaxis and 8 had received other antibiotics in the past 2 months. The organism most frequently isolated in both groups was M. catarrhalis: 15 (35%) in the HIV exposed and 5 (12.5%) in the HIV infected children (p= .020). Conclusion: These preliminary results suggest that NP S. pneumoniae colonization is not higher and the rate of PRSP is not greater in HIV-infected children.