title: Multiply resistant viridans streptococci: susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics and comparison of penicillin-binding protein patterns.
abstract: A unique group of viridans streptococci has been found in South Africa. These organisms were isolated in close temporal and physical proximity to the isolation of penicillin-resistant pneumococci. The strains were resistant to penicillin, oxacillin, the cephalosporins (all generations), piperacillin, azlocillin, and mezlocillin but were susceptible to vancomycin. Penicillin-binding proteins of two penicillin-resistant South African strains of Streptococcus mitis differed markedly from those of two penicillin-susceptible strains but were identical to those seen in a penicillin-resistant strain isolated in Boston. Although both susceptible strains were identified as S. mitis with identical biochemical profiles, their penicillin-binding protein patterns differed from each other. This finding may have significance with regard to the need for additional taxonomic classification of the viridans streptococci.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D002267:Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism; D047090:beta-Lactams
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D047090:beta-Lactams; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D002267:Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase; D001618:beta-Lactamases