Postantibiotic effect of aminoglycosides on staphylococci

The postantibiotic effects (PAEs) of amikacin, gentamicin, netilmicin and tobramycin on Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis were determined in vitro by a bioluminescence assay of bacterial ATP. Five strains of S. aureus and two strains of S. epidermidis were exposed for 1 h to varying concentrations of these aminoglycosides. Following removal of the antibiotics by dilution, bacterial regrowth was monitored at hourly intervals. The duration of the PAE increased with increasing aminoglycoside concentration. The mean PAEs for the five S. aureus strains ranged from 5-10 h at clinically achievable aminoglycoside concentrations (16-32 mg/L of amikacin and 4-8 mg/L of gentamicin, netilmicin and tobramycin). The results for one of the strains of S. epidermidis were similar to those observed for the S. aureus strains, while the PAEs on the other less susceptible S. epidermidis strain were shorter (0.5-2.5 h). For comparison, two of the S. aureus strains were exposed for 1 and 2 h to a range of concentrations of dicloxacillin (0.25-32 mg/L); this agent induced a much shorter PAE (0-2.3 h). It may be important to take account of the PAE when designing dosing regimens.