Korean J Clin Pathol.  2000 Oct;20(5):475-479.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility of beta-emolytic Streptococci Isolated during the Period of 1999

• Park J
• Uh Y
• Hwang GY
• Jang IH
• Yoon KJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Erythromycin is currently recommended as an alternative antibiotic for treatment of streptococcal infections in patients allergic to penicillins. Less than 5% of the group A streptococci are known as resistant to erythromycin but the resistance pattern differs among time and region. The purpose of this study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of beta-emolytic streptococcal strains isolated during 1999 in Wonju.
METHODS
A total of 107 beta-emolytic streptococci were isolates from the Wonju Christian Hospital during 1999. The susceptibility to penicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, vancomycin, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, and clindamycin was tested with agar dilution method.
RESULTS
No beta-emolytic streptococci strain was resistant to penicillin, ceftriaxone and vancomycin. Among beta-emolytic streptococci strains, 20-1%, 18-0% and 14-7% were resistant to tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
It appears prudent that active surveillance of the beta-emolytic streptococci for antibiotic resistance be implemented since there are no currently effective vaccines or other methods for controlling the spread of infections due to these virulent organisms.

Keyword

beta-emolytic streptococci; Antimicrobial susceptibility test; Erythromycin resistance; Clindamycin resistance

MeSH Terms

Agar
Ceftriaxone
Chloramphenicol
Clindamycin
Drug Resistance, Microbial
Erythromycin
Gangwon-do
Humans
Penicillins
Streptococcal Infections
Tetracycline
Vaccines
Vancomycin
Agar
Ceftriaxone
Chloramphenicol
Clindamycin
Erythromycin
Penicillins
Tetracycline
Vaccines
Vancomycin