Incidence of high-level gentamicin resistance in enterococci at Johannesburg Hospital

S Afr Med J. 1996 Oct;86(10):1273-6.

Abstract

Objective: To document the incidence of high-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR) in enterococcal isolates at Johannesburg Hospital.

Design: Survey of laboratory isolates.

Setting: Academic hospitals. BACTERIAL STRAINS: Consecutive samples of enterococcal isolates.

Main outcome measure: The incidence of HLGR in enterococcal isolates.

Results: The incidence of HLGR was 26.5% of Enterococcus faecalis isolates and 20% of E. faecium isolates grown during the study period.

Conclusions: High-level gentamicin resistance is common among enterococci isolated at Johannesburg Hospital, and this observation must be considered in defining strategies for the management of invasive enterococcal infections in the future.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial*
  • Enterococcus faecalis / drug effects
  • Enterococcus faecalis / isolation & purification
  • Enterococcus faecium / drug effects
  • Enterococcus faecium / isolation & purification
  • Gentamicins* / administration & dosage
  • Gentamicins* / pharmacology
  • Gentamicins* / therapeutic use
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / drug therapy
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / epidemiology
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Hospitals, Teaching
  • Humans
  • Incidence*
  • South Africa / epidemiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Gentamicins