High incidence of meropenem resistance among α-hemolytic streptococci in children with cancer

Background:  Infections caused by antibiotics-resistant Gram-positive bacteria have been reported from many pediatric hematology–oncology centers. Methods:  The susceptibility profiles to meropenem, piperacillin, and vancomycin among oral flora isolates of α-hemolytic streptococci (AHS) obtained from six children with cancer who received several empirical therapies (ET) against febrile neutropenia, were investigated. Results:  Meropenem minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AHS isolated from ET patients was 2.167 ± 0.258 μg/mL (mean ± SD), which was significantly higher than the MIC of AHS isolated from control groups. Intriguingly, AHS isolated approximately 6 months after hospital discharge indicated recovery of susceptibility to meropenem. Conclusions:  AHS isolates from neutropenic children with cancer should be checked for antibiotic susceptibility, even against carbapenems.