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Resistance of anaerobic bacteria to antimicrobial agents in Spain
1Department of Microbiology, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, National Institute of Health, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract:
As a consequence of antibiotic consumption, the entire microbial ecosystem attached to man is evolving towards resistance. In Spain, penicillin resistance (MIC > 0.5 mg/l) is found in about 10% of Peptostreptococcus, Clostridium perfringens and Eubacterium, and in 50% of Veillonella. Cefoxitin resistance ( > 2 mg/l) is present in 10 to 20% of Peptostreptococcus and Clostridium, and in 50% of Eubacterium; 21% of Bacteroides (fragilis group) strains are resistant to 16 mg/l. A very low rate of imipenem resistance (> or = 128 mg/l) is found among Bacteroides (1%), but for 5% of the isolates MICs of imipenem are 2 to 4 mg/l. Metronidazole resistance ( > 8 mg/l) is found in 5 to 10% of Peptostreptococcus, Clostridium and Veillonella, and in less than 1% of the Bacteroides fragilis group. Erythromycin resistance ( > 2 mg/l) is present in over two-thirds of the Peptostreptococcus, Veillonella and Fusobacterium isolates, and in 27% of the Clostridium perfringens strains. Clindamycin resistance ( > 4 mg/l) is found in 10 to 20% of the Peptostreptococcus, Clostridium and Eubacterium isolates, and in 20% of the Bacteroides of the fragilis group, this rate being higher (30%) among faecal isolates.
Insights
Antibiotic use drives microbial resistance. In Spain, significant penicillin and erythromycin resistance is observed in anaerobic bacteria, impacting treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Antibiotic consumption is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance.
- The human-associated microbial ecosystem is evolving resistance to common antibiotics.
- Understanding resistance patterns in anaerobic bacteria is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in key anaerobic bacterial species in Spain.
- To quantify resistance rates to penicillin, cefoxitin, imipenem, metronidazole, erythromycin, and clindamycin.
- To identify specific bacterial groups exhibiting high resistance to certain antibiotics.
Main Methods:
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on clinical isolates.
- Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) were determined for various antibiotics.
- Resistance rates were calculated for different bacterial species and antibiotic classes.
Main Results:
- Penicillin resistance was noted in ~10% of Peptostreptococcus, Clostridium perfringens, and Eubacterium, and 50% of Veillonella.
- Cefoxitin resistance varied, with 50% of Eubacterium and 21% of Bacteroides fragilis group resistant.
- High erythromycin resistance (>66%) was found in Peptostreptococcus, Veillonella, and Fusobacterium.
Conclusions:
- Significant levels of antibiotic resistance exist in anaerobic bacteria in Spain.
- Erythromycin and penicillin show notable resistance in several clinically relevant species.
- Monitoring resistance trends is essential for guiding antimicrobial therapy.
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