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[Resistance to antibiotics in clinical isolates of the genus Enterococcus]
M G Martín1, I De Miguel, A Cañas
1Departamento de Ciencias Clínicas, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Abstract:
The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of resistance in 114 clinical strains of enterococci. Identification was made using PASCO dehydrated panels and by the conventional method of Facklam and found the following: 92.1% E. faecalis, 7% E. faecium and 0.9% E. avium. The antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the PASCO system, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of vancomycin, teicoplanin, gentamicin and streptomycin were determined by the agar dilution method. All the strains were susceptible to vancomycin and teicoplanin. We detected resistance to ampicillin in 4.4% of isolates, to penicillin in 6%, to tetracycline in 41.2%, to rifampicin in 12.3%, to chloramphenicol in 23.7%, to erythromycin in 66.7%, to ciprofloxacin in 53.5%, to gentamicin to a high level in 43.9%, and to streptomycin to a high level in 57%. E. faecium was associated with high-level resistance to gentamicin. E. faecium was more resistant than E. faecalis to quinolones, rifampicin, penicillin and ampicillin, and showed similar susceptibility to tetracycline and chloramphenicol. However, E. faecalis was more resistant than E. faecium to aminoglycosides, mainly to gentamicin.
Insights
This study investigated antibiotic resistance in clinical enterococci strains. Most strains were susceptible to vancomycin, but high resistance rates were observed for erythromycin and ciprofloxacin.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Context:
- Enterococci are significant nosocomial pathogens.
- Understanding their antibiotic resistance patterns is crucial for effective treatment.
- Clinical isolates present a diverse resistance profile.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in 114 clinical enterococci strains.
- To identify specific resistance patterns in Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium.
- To compare susceptibility to vancomycin, teicoplanin, gentamicin, and streptomycin.
Summary:
- Identification revealed 92.1% E. faecalis, 7% E. faecium, and 0.9% E. avium.
- All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and teicoplanin.
- High-level resistance was noted for erythromycin (66.7%), ciprofloxacin (53.5%), and streptomycin (57%).
- E. faecium showed higher resistance to quinolones, rifampicin, penicillin, and ampicillin compared to E. faecalis.
Impact:
- Highlights the need for vigilant monitoring of enterococcal antibiotic resistance.
- Informs clinical decision-making for empirical and targeted therapy.
- Provides data on the prevalence of high-level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR) in enterococci.