title: Enterococci highly resistant to penicillin: characterizing isolates from Singapore hospitals.
abstract: Enterococci are increasing in importance as nosocomial pathogens and causes of severe sepsis in immunocompromised patients. From September to November 1989, a survey of 898 enterococcal isolates showed that 52 had acquired high-level resistance to penicillin and ampicillin (MIC greater than 100 mg/l). These were all Enterococcus faecium, did not produce beta-lactamase and showed high-level resistance to gentamicin and streptomycin as well. The majority were urinary isolates, but a few caused bacteraemia in severely ill patients. The potential spread of these highly-resistant enterococci would limit the therapeutic options for systemic infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital.
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D012846:Singapore