Challenges of multi drug resistant <I>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> as a fast developing superbug and the way forward

Abstract

Multi drug resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae are strains that can withstand the therapeutic effects of three or more antibiotics, mostly the first line antibiotics, which include Chloramphenicol, Cotrimoxazole, Streptomycin, Tetracycline, Sulfonamides, Trimethoprim and Ampicillin. This review attempts to highlight various antigenic properties such as; capsule, pili, various pnemococcal enzymes and specific pneumococcal proteins responsible for multi-drug resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae. In addition, this review further highlights the challenges of multi drug resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae among developing countries such as Nigeria such as the influence of drug resistance on patients, the influence of drug resistance on pharmaceutical industries, the influence of drug resistance on antimicrobial therapy, the influence of drug resistance on manpower and the influence of drug resistance on government resources; and how these problems can be prevented through measures such as; the production of new antibiotics and vaccines, the acquisition of modern health facilities and techniques for easy detection of multidrug resistant strains and the development of adequate drug storage facilities.