Pan-European data on the antibiotic resistance of staphylococci are reviewed, mainly based on unpublished surveillance studies of the Paul Ehrlich Society for Chemotherapy. The prevalence of multiresistant strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) varied between European countries, but were generally lowest in northern Europe ( < 2%) and highest in southern Europe ( > 30%). Antibiotic resistance was more prevalent in coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) than in coagulase-positive staphylococci, but the differences between countries was less pronounced. Although glyco-peptide resistance in S. aureus has not been found in vivo, glycopeptide-resistant CNS strains already exist. Despite the growing awareness and clinical significance of MRSA and multiresistant CNS strains in recent years, resistance to penicillin did not change between 1975 and 1990, whereas resistance to oxacillin increased slightly and resistance to ciprofloxacin increased markedly.

Keywords:
Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin resistance, Epidemiology, Europe
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1996 S. Karger AG, Basel
1996
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.