title: Susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated in Italy to penicillin and ten other antibiotics.
abstract: The susceptibility of 312 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated during 1993 in Italy has been studied. Overall resistance to penicillin, erythromycin and co-trimoxazole was 5.5, 6 and 18% respectively. The penicillin resistant isolates (nine displaying low- and eight high-level resistance) were further tested against cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, cefepime, cefodizime, ceftazidime, imipenem, meropenem and rifampicin. The low-level penicillin resistant strains were inhibited by all these drugs. Among the eight high-level penicillin resistant pneumococci, four were resistant to one or more cephalosporins. Imipenem and rifampicin remained effective against all isolates. In comparison with other European Mediterranean countries, penicillin resistance is a minor threat at present in Italy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, Medical School, University of Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marchese
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Debbia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arvigo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pesce
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Schito
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D010406:Penicillins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010406:Penicillins