Summary
The activity of penicillin G, ampicillin, carbenicillin, ticarcillin, azlocillin, mezlocillin and piperacillin against 102 β-lactamase-producing, methicillin-sensitive strains ofStaphylococcus aureus was determined by agar dilution (method A) and broth microdilution (method B) techniques. By NCCLS breakpoint criteria, 4% of the strains were “sensitive” to penicillin and ampicillin, and almost 100% were “sensitive” to the other drugs when method A was used. Results with method B were only significantly lower as far as the cumulative percentage of strains “sensitive” to azlocillin, mezlocillin and piperacillin was concerned (63–71%). Bactericidal effects at “sensitive” levels were observed in 0–2% (penicillin, ampicillin), 31–35% (carbenicillin, ticarcillin) and 10–14% (azlocillin, mezlocillin, piperacillin). While differences in MIC and MBC levels ranged from 0 to 8 dilution steps, tolerance (a >32-fold difference) was seen in at least 9–22% of all strains (depending on the drug tested); experimental limitations, however, excluded a determination of tolerance in all our strains. In a semi-quantitative nitrocefin assay, “strong” β-lactamase production was correlated to high MIC and/or MBC levels.
Zusammenfassung
Die Aktivitäten von Penicillin G, Ampicillin, Carbenicillin, Ticarcillin, Azlocillin, Mezlocillin und Piperacillin gegen 102 β-Lactamase-produzierende, Methicillin-sensible Stämme vonStaphylococcus aureus wurden mit Hilfe einer Agardilution (A) und Bouillon-Mikrodilution (B) bestimmt. Unter Zugrundelegung der NCCLS-Kriterien erwiesen sich bei Verwendung der Methode A 4% der Stämme als „sensibel“ gegen Penicillin und Ampicillin und fast 100% „sensibel“ gegen die anderen Penicilline. Mit Methode B ergaben sich signifikante Differenzen gegenüber A lediglich bei Azlocillin, Mezlocillin und Piperacillin (63–71% „Sensibilität“). Bakterizidie-Effekte im „sensiblen“ Bereich ergaben sich bei 0–2% (Penicillin und Ampicillin), 31–35% (Carbenicillin und Ticarcillin) bzw. 10–14% (Azolocillin, Mezlocillin, Piperacillin). Differenzen zwischen MHK und MBK reichten von 0 bis 8 Verdünnungsstufen; und Toleranz (MBK> 32 MHK) wurde bei mindestens 9–22% der Stämme (je nach Antibiotikum) gesehen. Limitationen im Experiment ließen jedoch nicht bei allen Stämmen Auswertung auf Toleranz zu. Bei Verwendung einer semiquantitativen Nitrocefin-Bestimmungsmethode zeigte sich eine Korrelation zwischen „starker“ β-Laktamase-Produktion und hohen MHK- und/oder MBK-Werten.
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This paper is dedicated to Prof.Walter Siegenthaler on the occasion of his 60th birthday.
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Wehrli, R., von Graevenitz, A. & Lüthy, R. Susceptibility and tolerance of β-lactamase-producing, methicillin-sensitive strains of Staphylococcus aureus towards seven broad-spectrum penicillins. Infection 11, 322–325 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01641357
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01641357