[Antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae in pediatric and adult population from Santiago, 1997-2003].

Background: In Chile, the emergence of drug-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae has complicated treatment decisions and may lead to treatment failures.

Aim: to examine antimicrobial resistance trends among pneumococcal isolates from the Catholic University Hospital between 1997 and 2003.

Material And Methods: During a seven-year period, we examined 901 strains of S.