Open AccessMultiply resistant viridans streptococci: susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics and comparison of penicillin-binding protein patterns
Author(s) -
Bruce Farber,
George M. Eliopoulos,
Joel I. Ward,
Kathryn L. Ruoff,
Vassiliki Syriopoulou,
R C Moellering
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.07
H-Index - 259
eISSN - 1070-6283
pISSN - 0066-4804
DOI - 10.1128/aac.24.5.702
Subject(s) - penicillin , streptococcus mitis , microbiology and biotechnology , viridans streptococci , penicillin binding proteins , biology , antibiotics , streptococcaceae , piperacillin , benzylpenicillin , cephalosporin , streptococcus , bacteria , genetics , pseudomonas aeruginosa
A unique group of viridans streptococci has been found in South Africa. These organisms were isolated in close temporal and physical proximity to the isolation of penicillin-resistant pneumococci. The strains were resistant to penicillin, oxacillin, the cephalosporins (all generations), piperacillin, azlocillin, and mezlocillin but were susceptible to vancomycin. Penicillin-binding proteins of two penicillin-resistant South African strains of Streptococcus mitis differed markedly from those of two penicillin-susceptible strains but were identical to those seen in a penicillin-resistant strain isolated in Boston. Although both susceptible strains were identified as S. mitis with identical biochemical profiles, their penicillin-binding protein patterns differed from each other. This finding may have significance with regard to the need for additional taxonomic classification of the viridans streptococci.