A comparison of the antimicrobial activity of meropenem and selected broad-spectrum antimicrobials tested against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacilli including bacteraemic Salmonella spp.: initial studies for the MYSTIC programme in India.
The evolution in India of multi-drug resistant pathogens possessing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) threatens to compromise the clinical utility of third-generation cephalosporins and monobactams. Using selected resistant strains from a recent Indian 10 centre surveillance study that measured the prevailing incidence of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, the potential clinical utility of meropenem was assessed against nine other antimicrobial agents. A total of 212 Gram-negative bacilli were tested, of which 125 were confirmed by reference methods to be ESBL-producers. Meropenem was the most active of the test antimicrobials against these strains and the rank order of susceptibility was meropenem (99.1% susceptible) > piperacillin/tazobactam (76.9%) > ciprofloxacin (42.5%) > aminoglycosides (34.4-39.6%) = other beta-lactams (30.0-39.6%). Of the tested strains only two (Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas putida) showed an intermediate susceptibility (8 mg/l) to meropenem. Of the 57 tested strains of Salmonella spp., three had an ESBL phenotype, confirmed two of the strains. This study confirms the high levels of resistance to beta-lactams agents in India reported elsewhere and also demonstrates, for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., high levels of co-resistance between the tested beta-lactam agents and ciprofloxacin and the aminoglycosides, gentamicin and tobramycin. However, carbapenems such as meropenem, remain a therapeutic option.
Jones
Ronald N
RN
JMI Laboratories/The JONES Group, 345 Beaver Kreek Centre, Suite A, North Liberty, IA 52317, USA. ronald-jones@jmilabs.com
Rhomberg
Paul R
PR
Varnam
David J
DJ
Mathai
Dilip
D
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D000077731:Meropenem; D012475:Salmonella / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013845:Thienamycins; D001618:beta-Lactamases; D000077731:Meropenem