Pneumococci that are resistant to penicillin should be tested for what?

When pneumococci show resistance to penicillin, testing for the production of beta-lactamase is crucial. Beta-lactamase enzymes can hydrolyze penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics, providing a mechanism for bacterial survival against these common antibiotics. Infections caused by beta-lactamase producing strains of pneumococci can be more challenging to treat, as they render many penicillins ineffective.

Identifying beta-lactamase activity helps clinicians determine the appropriate antibiotic therapy. This testing informs healthcare providers about the potential resistance mechanism present in the pneumococci, guiding treatment decisions towards alternative antimicrobials that are not affected by beta-lactamase activity. Understanding this resistance pattern is essential in managing infections effectively and reducing the risk of treatment failure.