Synergistic killing of vancomycin-resistant enterococci of classes A, B, and C by combinations of vancomycin, penicillin, and gentamicin

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1991 Apr;35(4):776-9. doi: 10.1128/AAC.35.4.776.

Abstract

Using both high and low inocula for time-kill curves, we examined the antibiotic killing of clinical isolates of glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (Enterococcus faecium, E. faecalis, and E. gallinarum) belonging to phenotypic resistance classes A, B, and C. None were resistant to high levels (greater than 500 mg/liter) of gentamicin. Vancomycin-penicillin-gentamicin resulted in 2 or more logs of killing above that of the most effective two-antibiotic combination for all strains except two of three E. gallinarum (VanC) strains and a constitutive mutant of a VanB strain. This strategy may be useful clinically.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Drug Resistance, Microbial
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / pharmacology
  • Gentamicins / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Penicillins / pharmacology*
  • Streptococcus / drug effects*
  • Vancomycin / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Gentamicins
  • Penicillins
  • Vancomycin