title: Oral antimicrobial susceptibilities of Streptococcus pyogenes recently isolated in five countries.
abstract: Between July 1998 and July 1999 1050 clinical isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes were collected from 11 study centres in five countries. Isolates were shipped to a co-ordinating laboratory for NCCLS specified broth microdilution susceptibility testing for penicillin, cefaclor, azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin and roxithromycin. All 1050 isolates of S. pyogenes tested were susceptible to penicillin (MIC < or = 0.12 microgram/ml) and cefaclor (MIC < or = 0.25 microgram/ml). Azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin resistance rates were 15.9%, 15.4% and 15.8%, respectively. MIC90S for penicillin, cefaclor, azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, and roxithromycin were 0.015, 0.12, > 4, 8, > 1 and 16 micrograms/ml, respectively. Macrolide (erythromycin) resistance rates were highest in study centres in Italy (31.0%) and Spain (26.6%). Lower macrolide resistance rates were identified in study centres in Turkey (4.8%), France (3.8%), and Sweden (3.7%). In conclusion, the isolates of S. pyogenes tested were universally susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin and cefaclor, while resistance to macrolides was significant and ranged from 3.2% to 31%.
authors.affiliation: Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Bandak
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Turnak
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Bolzon
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Preston
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D007769:Lactams; D018942:Macrolides; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007769:Lactams; D018942:Macrolides