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Efficacy of telithromycin (HMR 3647) against enterococci in a mouse peritonitis model

K V Singh1, K K Zscheck, B E Murray

  • 1Center for the Study of Emerging and Re-Emerging Pathogens, The University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. Kavindra.Singh@uth.tmc.edu

Insights

Telithromycin (TEL) demonstrated superior in vivo efficacy against enterococci compared to erythromycin (ERY). However, TEL

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Enterococcus species are significant human pathogens.
  • Antibiotic resistance in Enterococcus strains is a growing concern.
  • Macrolide antibiotics like erythromycin (ERY) are used to treat enterococcal infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vivo efficacy of telithromycin (TEL) and ERY against Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium.
  • To assess the impact of erythromycin resistance on TEL's efficacy.
  • To compare TEL's in vivo activity with ERY and quinupristin-dalfopristin.

Main Methods:

  • A mouse peritonitis model was utilized.
  • Four strains of Enterococcus faecalis and three strains of Enterococcus faecium were tested.
  • Bacterial isolates exhibited varying susceptibilities to TEL and ERY.

Main Results:

  • TEL showed high in vivo activity against Ery-susceptible (Ery(s)) and Ery-intermediate (Ery(i)) strains.
  • TEL exhibited reduced efficacy against Ery-resistant (Ery(r)) strains, though a second dose partially restored activity.
  • Quinupristin-dalfopristin also showed reduced efficacy against Ery(r) E. faecium strains.

Conclusions:

  • TEL is more potent in vivo against enterococci than ERY.
  • The presence of erm(B)-mediated Ery(r) lowers TEL's activity.
  • Understanding resistance mechanisms is crucial for effective antibiotic therapy.

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