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Susceptibility of Yersinia pestis to novel and conventional antimicrobial agents

John Frean1, Keith P Klugman, Lorraine Arntzen

  • 1National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|July 17, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Southern African Yersinia pestis strains showed susceptibility to cefditoren and fluoroquinolones. Novel fluoroquinolones like olamufloxacin warrant further plague research.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Yersinia pestis is the causative agent of plague.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility of Yersinia pestis strains varies geographically.
  • Southern Africa is a significant plague focus.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of southern African Yersinia pestis strains.
  • To evaluate both novel and conventional antimicrobial agents against these strains.

Main Methods:

  • Agar dilution method was employed.
  • Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) were determined.
  • 28 Yersinia pestis strains from a southern African plague focus were tested.

Main Results:

  • Cefditoren and fluoroquinolones (conventional and novel) demonstrated the highest in vitro activity.
  • Macrolides exhibited poor activity against these Yersinia pestis strains.
  • Enterobacteriaceae susceptibility patterns were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Novel fluoroquinolones, specifically olamufloxacin (HSR 903) and ABT 492, show promise.
  • Further investigation in animal models of plague is recommended for these novel agents.
  • Cefditoren and fluoroquinolones are potential therapeutic options.

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