title: Comparative activity and spectrum of broad-spectrum beta-lactams (cefepime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, piperacillin/tazobactam) tested against 12,295 staphylococci and streptococci: report from the SENTRY antimicrobial surveillance program (North America: 2001-2002).
abstract: A contemporary collection of 12,295 North American isolates (2001-2002) consisting of Staphylococcus aureus (50%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (12%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (24%), beta-hemolytic streptococci (12%), and viridans-group streptococci (2%) were tested against broad-spectrum beta-lactams (cefepime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, imipenem, piperacillin/tazobactam) and comparator agents using a reference broth microdilution method to determine their continued effectiveness for empiric antimicrobial therapy. All isolates were very susceptible to vancomycin, linezolid and quinupristin/dalfopristin (>98%). Oxacillin-susceptible staphylococci were also highly susceptible to the tested beta-lactams (>98%) with the exception of ceftazidime (93%). beta-hemolytic streptococci were exquisitely susceptible (>99%) to penicillin and all other agents except for clindamycin (94%) and erythromycin (81%). Viridans group streptococci were routinely less susceptible than were other streptococci. S. pneumoniae remained susceptible to most agents (>91%) with the exceptions of erythromycin (74%) and penicillin (69%). Among beta-lactams tested against S. pneumoniae, ceftriaxone and cefepime continued to be very active against penicillin-susceptible (>99%) and intermediate (>98%) strains, but less active (80% and 82%, respectively) against penicillin-resistant isolates. These findings confirm that the newer cephalosporins (cefepime and ceftriaxone) among broad-spectrum beta-lactam agents have a spectrum of activity that remains comprehensive for the commonly isolated Gram-positive pathogens.
authors.affiliation: The JONES Group/JMI Laboratories, North Liberty, Iowa, USA. thomas-fritsche@jmilabs.com
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Fritsche
authors.forename: Helio S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Sader
authors.forename: Ronald N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects*; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D047090:beta-Lactams