title: Gentamicin-resistant enterococcal endocarditis: the need for routine screening for high-level resistance to aminoglycosides.
abstract: We have reported a case of high-level gentamicin-resistant enterococcal endocarditis as a complication of intravenous narcotic abuse. Because routine screening of enterococcal blood isolates for high-level aminoglycoside resistance was not done, the patient possibly received suboptimal therapy. This case amplifies the necessity of a systematic screening program for enterococcal blood isolates to detect high-level resistance to gentamicin and streptomycin in clinical laboratories.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Libertin
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: McKinley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003932:Heroin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013307:Streptomycin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D005839:Gentamicins; D003932:Heroin; D013307:Streptomycin