title: Cefixime shows good effects on group A and group B beta-haemolytic streptococci.
abstract: There is continued interest in the development of oral beta-lactam compounds, which can be used clinically to treat various bacterial infections, particularly those caused by beta-haemolytic streptococci. Cefixime is a new orally active cephalosporin, with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity, including Enterobacteriaceae, Haemophilus influenzae, Branhamella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes. Cefixime is highly resistant to hydrolysis by most beta-lactamases. In this study the authors examined the effects of this molecule on Group A and Group B beta-haemolytic streptococci, recently isolated from clinical specimens in the authors' laboratory. MICs and the growth curves of 36 strains of Group A streptococci and the effects of sub-MICs on buccal cell adhesion were evaluated. The results show that concerning the sub-MIC cefixime effect on streptococci adherence, the treatment led to a decrease in adherence to the cells of the strains studied. Moreover cefixime showed good activity with 86.1% of the strains with MIC less than or equal to 0.5 microgram/ml, and the growth curves demonstrated that the molecule possesses a bactericidal effect after 3 h. Concerning Group B streptococci, 70.3% of the strains showed a MIC less than or equal to 2 micrograms/ml. In conclusion cefixime demonstrates good activity on beta-haemolytic streptococci, particularly those of Group A.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, University of Reggio Calabria, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Liberto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Fera
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Berlinghieri
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Puccio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Focà
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casini
mesh_terms: D000892:Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020682:Cefixime; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002610:Cheek; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000187:drug effects*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000892:Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary; D020682:Cefixime; D002439:Cefotaxime