title: Susceptibility of alpha-haemolytic streptococci causing endocarditis to benzylpenicillin and ten cephalosporins.
abstract: A clinical case of streptococcal endocarditis in which the isolate proved susceptible to third- but not first-generation cephalosporins prompted us to examine the susceptibility of 44 alpha-haemolytic streptococci from cases of endocarditis to ten cephalosporins and benzylpenicillin. Twenty per cent of strains were resistant to penicillin, and 20% were tolerant. Cefazolin, cefuroxime and cefpirome were the most active first-, second- and third-generation cephalosporins tested. Other first-generation cephalosporins tested compared poorly to cefazolin. Cefotaxime and cefpirome were moderately active against some penicillin-resistant strains. Penicillin tolerance was common in Streptococcus gordonii, but a correlation between tolerance and dextran production could not be confirmed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Winstanley
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Spencer
mesh_terms: D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins; D010400:Penicillin G