Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Children With Pneumonia Attributable to Penicillin-susceptible and Penicillin-nonsusceptible<i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i>

Abstract

The clinical presentation and outcome of therapy did not differ significantly between patients with penicillin-susceptible versus those with nonsusceptible isolates of S pneumoniae. Hospitalized patients were more likely to have underlying illnesses, multiple lobe involvement, and the presence of pleural effusions than patients who did not require hospitalization. In otherwise normal patients with pneumonia attributable to penicillin-resistant pneumococcal isolates, therapy with standard beta-lactam agents is effective.