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[Drug susceptibility of staphylococci isolated from clinical specimens]
Abstract:
Eighty-eight strains of staphylococci were isolated from a variety of specimens collected from patients at our university hospital from June to August 1982. These strains were identified as Staphylococcus aureus (86%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (6.8%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (2.3%), Staphylococcus capitis (2.3%), and Staphylococcus simulans (1.1%). One strain could not be identified with certainty as a currently recognized species. A majority (70%) of the S. aureus strains was resistant to two or more of the following drugs; penicillin G, kanamycin, doxycycline, erythromycin, and chloramphenicol. As for susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics, most of the strains that were resistant to penicillin G were also resistant to aminobenzyl penicillin and cephalexin. Whereas none of the strains was resistant to methicillin, cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, nor cefmetazole, and only a few strains were resistant to cefoperazone or cefazolin or both. Over 50% of the S. aureus strains were found to be resistant to each of four aminoglycosides (Kanamycin, gentamicin, tobramycin, and sagamicin), while only 5% of the strains were resistant to amikacin. Multiple resistance to the above four aminoglycosides was observed among more than 40% of the S. aureus strains, and also observed among three of six strains of S. epidermidis.
Insights
Most Staphylococcus aureus strains from a university hospital in 1982 showed resistance to common antibiotics like penicillin G and several aminoglycosides. However, newer antibiotics such as methicillin and cefmetazole remained effective against these bacterial isolates.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Context:
- Study conducted at a university hospital between June and August 1982.
- Analysis of 88 staphylococcal strains isolated from patient specimens.
- Identification of prevalent Staphylococcus species, with S. aureus being dominant (86%).
Purpose:
- To characterize the antibiotic resistance patterns of staphylococcal isolates.
- To assess the susceptibility of S. aureus and S. epidermidis to various antimicrobial agents.
- To identify emerging trends in antimicrobial resistance in a clinical setting.
Summary:
- A significant proportion (70%) of Staphylococcus aureus strains exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics, including penicillin G, kanamycin, doxycycline, erythromycin, and chloramphenicol.
- Most penicillin G-resistant strains were also resistant to aminobenzyl penicillin and cephalexin.
- While resistance to methicillin, cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, and cefmetazole was absent, over 50% of S. aureus strains were resistant to four common aminoglycosides (kanamycin, gentamicin, tobramycin, sagamicin), contrasting with low resistance (5%) to amikacin.
Impact:
- Highlights the early prevalence of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains.
- Provides baseline data on antibiotic susceptibility crucial for infection control and treatment strategies.
- Underscores the importance of monitoring antimicrobial resistance patterns in healthcare settings.