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S J Pedler

Publications and source records attributed to S J Pedler.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Antibiotic-resistant enterococci.

Enterococci have emerged as an important cause of nosocomial infection. Successful antibiotic treatment of serious enterococcal infection usually depends on the synergistic bactericidal effect achieved by the combination of a cell wall-active agent, such as ampicillin or a glycopeptide, and an aminoglycoside. However, the prevalence of enterococci resistant to one or more of these antibiotics is increasing, and has resulted in serious therapeutic difficulties. The mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, and the epidemiology, laboratory diagnosis and management of infection with antibiotic-resistant enterococci are discussed.

Cross Infection

Species identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing of enterococci isolated from hospitalized patients.

A total of 236 enterococci from hospitalized patients were identified to the species level, and their susceptibilities to 11 antibiotics were determined. Overall, 195 (82.6%) and 38 (16.1%) isolates were identified as Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium, respectively, but the species distribution as determined from blood culture isolates differed markedly. A total of 27 (63.2%) E. faecium isolates, but no E. faecalis strains, were ampicillin resistant (MIC, greater than 8 micrograms/ml). High-level gentamicin resistance (MIC, greater than 500 micrograms/ml) was found in 8.2% of E. faecalis isolates but was not seen in other species.

Ampicillin Resistance