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What about antibiotic resistance in Neisseria lactamica?

L Arreaza1, C Salcedo, B Alcalá

  • 1Servicio de Bacteriología, Laboratorio de Referencia de Meningococos, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.

Insights

This study assessed antibiotic susceptibility in Neisseria lactamica. Most isolates were susceptible to common antibiotics, but some showed resistance to ampicillin and decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Neisseria lactamica is a commensal bacterium.
  • Understanding its antibiotic susceptibility is crucial for differentiating it from pathogenic Neisseria meningitidis.
  • Emerging resistance patterns in commensal bacteria can provide early warnings of resistance in related pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the in vitro antibiotic susceptibility profile of Neisseria lactamica isolates.
  • To compare susceptibility patterns with established criteria for Neisseria meningitidis.

Main Methods:

  • Agar dilution method was used to test the activity of six antibiotics: penicillin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, rifampicin, and ciprofloxacin.
  • Susceptibility categories were analyzed based on Neisseria meningitidis criteria.
  • Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) were determined for rifampicin.

Main Results:

  • All 286 Neisseria lactamica isolates showed intermediate susceptibility to penicillin.
  • 1.7% of isolates were resistant to ampicillin.
  • All isolates remained susceptible to cefotaxime and ceftriaxone.
  • Rifampicin MICs ranged from 0.12 to 2 mg/L.
  • 2.1% of isolates exhibited decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin.

Conclusions:

  • Neisseria lactamica generally remains susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins like cefotaxime and ceftriaxone.
  • The emergence of ampicillin resistance and reduced ciprofloxacin susceptibility warrants ongoing surveillance.
  • Standardized susceptibility testing criteria for Neisseria meningitidis are applicable to Neisseria lactamica.

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