Special methodological problems in antibiotic susceptibility testing of fermentative actinomycetes

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Antibiotic susceptibility data for pathogenic fermentative actinomycetes are incomplete, complicating actinomycosis treatment.
• Standardized in vitro susceptibility testing methods are crucial for reliable data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish reliable in vitro antibiotic susceptibility data for pathogenic fermentative actinomycetes.
• To identify effective alternative antibiotics for treating human actinomycosis.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of standardized, specially adapted in vitro susceptibility testing methods.
• Careful consideration of factors affecting test reproducibility and therapeutic relevance.

Main Results:

• Identified ampicillin as a proven effective antibiotic.
• Recommended mezlocillin, cefoxitin, clindamycin, tetracyclines, rifampicin, and erythromycin as effective alternative treatments.

Conclusions:

• Standardized in vitro testing is essential for accurate antibiotic susceptibility data in actinomycosis.
• Several alternative antibiotics show promise for successful actinomycosis chemotherapy.