J Lab Med Qual Assur.  2002 Dec;24(2):225-230.

Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Viridans Streptococci Isolated from Blood Cultures during Recent Period

• Uh Y
• Hwang GY
• Jang IH
• Yoon KJ
• Kim HY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Viridans group streptococci (VGS) are being increasingly reported as pathogens causing septicemia in neutropenic and other immunocompromised patients since 1980s. In the past, VGS were nearly uniformly susceptible to beta-lactam antimicrobial agents, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and macrolides. Several recent published studies, however, indicate that antimicrobial resistance may be emerging as a problem with VGS. The purpose of this study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of VGS strains isolated from blood cultures in recent period.
METHODS
A total of 45 consecutive strains of VGS isolated from blood cultures between May 2001 and March 2002 at Wonju Christian Hospital were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Identification of VGS were performed by API Strep 32(bioMerieux sa, Marcy-l'Etoile, France) commercial kit. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were done by NCCLS recommended disk diffusion method and penicillin MICs were determined by E test.
RESULTS
Among the 45 VGS strains, frequently isolated organisms were Streptococcus mitis (31.1%), Streptococcus oralis (17.8%), Streptococcus constellatus (11.1%), and Streptococcus anginosus (8.9%). Overall intermediate-and resistant rates to antimicrobial agents of VGS were as follows: penicillin; 26.7% and 8.9%, erythromycin; 4.4% and 28.9%, clindamycin 2.2% and 22.2%, and ceftriaxone; 4.4% and 6.7%, respectively. Resistant rates of Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus oralis were as follows: penicillin; 50% vs 50%, erythromycin 43% vs 37%, clindamycin 21% vs 37%, and ceftriaxone 7% vs 25%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate the species-related variability of susceptibility among VGS isolated from blood in recent period. In addition to S. mitis, S. oralis also displayed high rates of resistance to penicillin, macrolides, and ceftriaxone. The difference in susceptibilities between species of VGS indicates the importance of accurate identification and the need for continuing monitoring of antimicrobial resistance.

Keyword

Blood culture; Viridans streptococci; Antimicrobial susceptibility; Penicillin resistance

MeSH Terms

Aminoglycosides
Anti-Infective Agents
Ceftriaxone
Clindamycin
Diffusion
Erythromycin
Gangwon-do
Immunocompromised Host
Macrolides
Penicillin Resistance
Penicillins
Sepsis
Streptococcus anginosus
Streptococcus constellatus
Streptococcus mitis
Streptococcus oralis
Tetracyclines
Viridans Streptococci*
Aminoglycosides
Anti-Infective Agents
Ceftriaxone
Clindamycin
Erythromycin
Macrolides
Penicillins
Tetracyclines