In-vitro sensitivity of Bordetella pertussis

The in-vitro effect of ampicillin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, erythromycin, trimethoprim and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole against 152 strains of Bordetella pertussis was investigated. When tested against erythromycin, 96% of the isolated strains were inhibited by less than or equal to 1 mg/l. The other antibiotics did not inhibit the growth of Bord. pertussis at concentrations judged achievable in-vivo.