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Susceptibility of enterococci and epidemiology of enterococcal infections in the 1980s

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

R. C. George  and
A. H. C. Uttley
R. C. George
Affiliation:
Antibiotic Reference Laboratory, Division of Hospital Infection, Central Public Health Laboratory, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HT
A. H. C. Uttley
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, Dulwich Hospital, East Dulwich Grove, London SE22 8QS
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Enterococcisensu stricto form part of the normal gut flora (1) and may be found in the mouth, vagina and anterior urethra (2). They are opportunist pathogens which can cause serious infection including endocarditis. Nosocomial enterococcal infection appears to be increasing both in the UK (Public Health Laboratory Service [PHLS] Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre [CDSC], unpublished) and the USA (3) and to correspond to usage of broad spectrum β-lactam antimicrobial agents (4−7) and invasive surgical devices (8, 9). At the same time, the incidence of enterococci resistant or tolerant to previously commonly employed antimicrobial agents or their synergistic combinations is increasing and is compromising therapy of serious enterococcal infection. Strains of enterococci with high-level resistance to streptomycin and kanamycin (minimal inhibitory concentrations [MICs] > 2000 mg/L) were first reported in 1970 (10, 11) and rapidly became widespread (8, 12−14).

Type
Special Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 103 , Issue 3 , December 1989 , pp. 403 - 413
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

References

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