In vitro susceptibility of viridans group streptococci isolated from blood in southwest Finland in 1993-2004

Scand J Infect Dis. 2007;39(6-7):508-13. doi: 10.1080/00365540601131950.

Abstract

We studied in vitro activity against invasive viridans group streptococci (VGS) of penicillin and 4 newer antibiotics, i.e. telithromycin, linezolid, levofloxacin and quinupristin-dalfopristin. Also 7 other antibiotics were tested. Antibiotic susceptibility of 263 VGS blood isolates, collected from southwest Finland during a 12-y period was determined. We wished to discover whether there is an increasing trend of antimicrobial resistance among VGS in Finland. Our results showed that penicillin is still a good choice for treating VGS infections based on the considerably low resistance percentage, 2.3%. Also newer antibiotics showed good in vitro activity: susceptibilities for telithromycin, linezolid and levofloxacin were 100%, 98.9% and 94.6%, respectively. However, quinupristin-dalfopristin was not as effective as described in previous studies, with only 57% susceptibility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Colony Count, Microbial / methods
  • Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests / methods
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
  • Finland
  • Humans
  • Streptococcal Infections / blood
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Viridans Streptococci / drug effects*
  • Viridans Streptococci / isolation & purification