[The Pneumococcal Observatory for the Central Region, 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000].

Seven hundred and ninety six strains of pneumococcus were collected in the Centre region, from 15 laboratories, between 1st April 1999 and 31st of March 2000. Data were processed, using 4th dimension software, and concerned age, file number, consultation/hospitalisation, sample type, susceptibility to oxacillin (5 micrograms), results of the E-test for benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin, cefotaxime and results of the routine disc diffusion test. Strains with reduced susceptibility to benzylpenicillin (PRSP) were collected by the co-ordinating centre to perform MICs by the reference agar dilution test and serotyping.