Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes with meningeal tropism in cases of invasive pneumococcal disease. Community of Madrid, 2007-2018.

Introduction: To describe the distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes isolated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between 2007-2018 in the Community of Madrid (CM) and to identify those with higher meningeal tropism.

Methods: Strains isolated from invasive pneumococcal disease were sent to the Regional Laboratory of Public Health by Microbiology laboratories of public and private hospitals of the CM. The frequency of serotypes from CSF was compared with that observed in other samples.

Results: A total of 6,115 strains were processed and 5% (n=304) were isolated from CSF. Seven serotypes (11A, 19F, 23B, 10A, 24F, 23A and 35F) showed a frequency significantly higher in CSF than in other usually sterile samples. Serotypes 24F, 11A and 23B showed high penicillin-resistance.

Conclusion: The frequency and resistance of certain pneumococcal serotypes with high meningeal tropism could compromise the treatment of central nervous system infections.