Antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-positive cocci isolated from patients with conjunctivitis and keratitis in Crete, Greece

• Published in: Journal of microbiology, immunology and infection immunology and infection, 2013-02, Vol.46 (1), p.41-47
• Main Authors: Mantadakis, Elpis, Maraki, Sofia, Michailidis, Lambros, Gitti, Zoe, Pallikaris, Ioannis G, Samonis, George
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Antimicrobial susceptibility; Child; Child, Preschool; Coagulase-negative staphylococci; Conjunctivitis; Conjunctivitis - microbiology; Female; Greece; Humans; Infant; Infectious Disease; Keratitis; Keratitis - microbiology; Male; Medical Education; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Pneumococcal Infections - microbiology; Prospective Studies; Staphylococcal Infections - microbiology; Staphylococcus - drug effects; Staphylococcus - isolation & purification; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Streptococcus pneumoniae - drug effects; Streptococcus pneumoniae - isolation & purification; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1684-1182; 1995-9133
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2011.12.025

Purpose To assess the in vitro susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) ocular isolates to antibiotics, and identify changing trends in resistance over a 10-year period. Methods All isolates from ocular infections collected between 2000 and 2009 were prospectively tested against several antibiotics in vitro. S. pneumoniae isolates ( n  = 93) were tested against 20 and S. aureus ( n  = 120) and CoNS ( n  = 214) against 19 antibiotics. To identify changes in susceptibility patterns, we compared results from 2000–2004 with those from 2005–2009. We also compared the antibiotic susceptibilities against aminoglycosides and quinolones between methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates. Results All S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to quinolones, and 99% were susceptible to chloramphenicol. Regarding S. aureus , we noted a significant increase in resistance against penicillin in recent years ( p  = 0.016). Over 90% of S. aureus isolates were susceptible to quinolones and aminoglycosides. MRSA isolates were more resistant to ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin than MSSA isolates were ( p  = 0.016). Concerning CoNS, a significant increase in susceptibility to amikacin was noted in the second study period ( p  = 0.01). Conclusion Quinolones remain an excellent treatment option for bacterial conjunctivitis and keratitis due to Gram-positive cocci in our region.