Antimicrobial activity, spectrum, and recommendations for disk diffusion susceptibility testing of ceftibuten (7432-S; SCH 39720), a new orally administered cephalosporin.

The antimicrobial activity and spectrum of ceftibuten (7432-S; SCH 39720) was determined on a wide variety of bacterial species selected for resistance to oral and parenteral beta-lactam antimicrobial agents. Ceftibuten was found to be the most active beta-lactam tested against members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, inhibiting 81.6% of strains at less than or equal to 8.0 micrograms/ml compared with 75.0 and 54.8% of strains inhibited by cefixime and cefuroxime, respectively. All strains of Haemophilus influenzae (MIC for 90% of strains [MIC90], less than or equal to 0.06 microgram/ml), Branhamella catarrhalis (MIC90, 3.0 micrograms/ml), and pathogenic Neisseria spp. (MIC90, less than or equal to 0.06 and 0.019 microgram/ml) were susceptible to ceftibuten. Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. (serogroups A, B, C, and G) were also inhibited by ceftibuten, but penicillin-resistant pneumococci were generally resistant to cefixime and ceftibuten. The activity and spectrum of ceftibuten seem most applicable to infections of the respiratory and urinary tract plus those infections caused by pathogenic Neisseria spp. Ceftibuten disks (30 micrograms) were evaluated and found to have an acceptable correlation (r = 0.88) with ceftibuten MICs. Preliminary zone size interpretive criteria for MIC breakpoints of less than or equal to 4.0 and less than or equal to 8.0 micrograms/ml were calculated.     

In vitro evaluation of WIN 57273, a new broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone

WIN 57273 is a new fluoroquinolone that has an expanded spectrum of activity against Staphylococcus spp. (MIC for 90% of isolates [MIC90], 0.008 microgram/ml), Enterococcus faecalis (MIC90, 0.06 microgram/ml), Bacillus spp. (MIC90, 0.03 micrograms/ml), Listeria monocytogenes (MIC90, 0.06 microgram/ml), Streptococcus spp. (MIC90, 0.03 microgram/ml), and Bacteroides fragilis group strains (MIC90, 0.5 microgram/ml). Like other fluoroquinolone compounds, WIN 57273 was active against members of the family Enterobacteriaceae (97% of strains inhibited by less than or equal to 2 micrograms/ml), Haemophilus, Branhamella, and Neisseria strains (100% susceptible), Acinetobacter spp. (100% susceptible), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (68% susceptible). We observed that WIN 57273 was very active against cephalosporin- or aminoglycoside-resistant gram-negative strains but shared cross-resistance with other fluoroquinolones. Increasing inoculum concentrations had minimal effects on WIN 57273 MICs, and the drug was considered to be bactericidal based on reference MBC and kill curve analyses. Unlike most previously studied drugs in this class, WIN 57273 had increased activity (three- to fourfold) at low pH. Rates of mutation to WIN 57273 resistance at eight times its MIC were in the range of 5.6 x 10(-8) to greater than 1.4 x 10(-9). This new compound possesses a wide potential spectrum of use, and it should be evaluated further by in vitro and in vivo studies.     

In vitro activity of DJ-6783 (a keto carboxylic acid) compared with six other orally administered antimicrobial agents

DJ-6783 is a new keto carboxylic acid having an expanded antimicrobial activity when compared with nalidixic acid or cinoxacin. Its usable activity includes the following: Enterobacteriaceae (MIC90, less than or equal to 0.06-4.0 micrograms/ml), Acinetobacter species (MIC90, 0.25-1.0 microgram/ml), Pseudomonas species (MIC90, 1.0-2.0 micrograms/ml), P. aeruginosa (MIC90, 16 micrograms/ml), Staphylococcus species (MIC90, 1.0-32 micrograms/ml), Haemophilus influenzae (MIC900, less than or equal to 0.06 microgram/ml), and Neisseria species (MIC90 less than or equal to 0.06 microgram/ml). The Streptococcus species were resistant to DL-6783 with MIC50 ranging from 16 to greater than 32 micrograms/ml. The drug appears to be bactericidal, minimally influenced by increasing inocula, but resistant mutants can be selected by serial subinhibitory concentration passages of strains in DJ-6783. The resulting resistant organisms also have higher MICs to related drugs such as norfloxacin, cinoxacin, and nalidixic acid. DJ-6783 was the most active organic acid not having structural characteristics of the fluorinated 4-quinolones.     

Comparative in vitro activities of sparfloxacin (CI-978; AT-4140) and other antimicrobial agents against staphylococci, enterococci, and respiratory tract pathogens.

The in vitro activity of sparfloxacin (CI-978; AT-4140) was compared with those of other antimicrobial agents against isolates of staphylococci, enterococci, and various respiratory tract pathogens. Sparfloxacin was the most active drug tested against staphylococci (MIC for 90% of the strains tested [MIC90], 0.125 micrograms/ml) and enterococci (MIC90, 1.0 microgram/ml). It was also active against Haemophilus influenzae (MIC90, less than or equal to 0.06 microgram/ml), Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis (MIC90, 0.125 microgram/ml), Streptococcus pneumoniae (MIC90, 0.5 microgram/ml), and Streptococcus pyogenes (MIC90, 1.0 microgram/ml).     

In vitro activities of ICI 194008 and ICI 193428, two new cephem antimicrobial agents.

The in vitro activities of two new cephem antibiotics, ICI 193428 and ICI 194008, were compared with those of cefpirome, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and piperacillin. Essentially all strains of the family Enterobacteriaceae were inhibited by both study drugs at concentrations of less than or equal to 4 micrograms/ml. Both new cephems were comparable to ceftazidime against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC for 90% of strains, 8 micrograms/ml) and were the most active agents tested against Pseudomonas maltophilia (MIC for 90% of strains, 16 micrograms/ml).     

In vitro activity of BMY-28100, a new oral cephalosporin.

The activity of BMY-28100, a new orally administered cephalosporin, was compared with those of cephalexin and cefaclor. BMY-28100 was the most active drug against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC for 90% of strains tested [MIC90], 1.0 microgram/ml), streptococci (MIC90S, less than or equal to 0.125 microgram/ml), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC90, 2 micrograms/ml). The drug was active against Haemophilus influenzae and gonococci but not against other organisms generally resistant to cephem antibiotics.     

Comparative antimicrobial activities of the penem WY-49605 (SUN5555) against recent clinical isolates from five U.S. medical centers.

The in vitro activity of WY-49605 (SUN5555) (WY) was compared with those of cefaclor, cefixime, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid against 2,958 consecutive clinical isolates from five medical centers and 402 respiratory pathogens from 18 other facilities. Most members of the family Enterobacteriaceae were inhibited by WY (MIC at which 50% of the isolates are inhibited [MIC50], < or = 2.0 micrograms/ml). MIC90s of > or = 8.0 micrograms/ml were observed for Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia spp., and Proteus mirabilis. WY was the most active drug against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MIC90, 0.12 microgram/ml) and other coagulase-negative staphylococci (MIC90, 4.0 micrograms/ml). The four drugs were not active against nonenteric gram-negative bacilli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. At 2.0 micrograms/ml, WY inhibited 82% of Enterococcus faecalis strains and was equal to or superior to the other drugs against streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis.     

Susceptibility of group B streptococci to 16 beta-lactam antibiotics, including new penicillin and cephalosporin derivatives

The susceptibility of 100 group B streptococci to 16 beta-lactam antibiotics was tested by agar dilution. Penicillin G and N-formimidoyl thienamycin were the most active agents tested, both having a 90% minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC90) of 0.06 microgram/ml. Ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, cefamandole, and SCH 29482 were almost as active, all having an MIC90 of 0.12 microgram/ml, and ampicillin, cephalothin, and mezlocillin all had an MIC90 of 0.25 microgram/ml. The MIC90 for piperacillin, cefoperazone, and ceftazidime was 0.5 microgram/ml. Least active were carbenicillin, ticarcillin, cefoxitin, and moxalactam, with MIC90s of 1, 2, 4, and 8 micrograms/ml, respectively. No penicillin-tolerant strains were detected.     

In vitro activity of MC-352, a new 16-membered macrolide.

The in vitro activity of MC-352, 3,4'-dideoxy-5-O-mycaminosyltylonolide, was compared with those of erythromycin, clarithromycin, and rokitamycin. The MC-352 MIC90 (MIC for 90% of isolates) for erythromycin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis was less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml, similar to those of the other agents. The MC-352 MIC50 for erythromycin-resistant S. aureus was 2 micrograms/ml, similar to that of rokitamycin. The MC-352 MIC90 (0.12 micrograms/ml) for Streptococcus pyogenes was similar to those of erythromycin and clarithromycin and superior to that of rokitamycin, and the MC-352 MIC90 for group B, C, and G streptococci was 0.25 microgram/ml. MC-352 and clarithromycin had an MIC90 of 0.12 microgram/ml for Streptococcus pneumoniae. Erythromycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis was inhibited by MC-352 at 1 microgram/ml, but the MIC for constitutively erythromycin-resistant isolates was greater than 16 micrograms/ml. Legionella pneumophila was inhibited by less than or equal to 0.25 microgram/ml. MC-352 was the most active agent against Bacteroides fragilis, with an MIC90 of 8 micrograms/ml, and was more active than the other agents against Haemophilus influenzae, with an MIC90 of 4 micrograms/ml. Moraxella spp. were inhibited by MC-352 at less than or equal to 0.25 microgram/ml. The MIC90 for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, and Serratia spp. was greater than or equal to 32 micrograms/ml. MC-352 was bactericidal for S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae, and its activity was not altered by human serum.     

Effects of rokitamycin and other macrolide antibiotics on Mycoplasma pneumoniae in L cells.

Fifty strains of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in L cells were tested for susceptibility to macrolide antibiotics. Rokitamycin, a new macrolide antibiotic, was most active against these organisms, with an MIC for 90% of strains of 0.007 microgram/ml. The MICs of erythromycin, josamycin, and kitasamycin for 90% of strains were 0.03, 0.03, and greater than or equal to 0.06 microgram/ml, respectively. Based on these results, rokitamycin is a promising antibiotic for the treatment of mycoplasmal infections, and further clinical investigations are needed.     

Comparative antimicrobial activity of ceftibuten against multiply-resistant microorganisms from Belgium

To study the activity of ceftibuten, we obtained multiply-resistant isolates from approximately 20 hospitals in Belgium. Against Enterobacteriaceae, all of the tested comparative compounds were more active than cefaclor, and ceftibuten and tigemonam were the most active of the agents tested. Ceftibuten MIC50s were less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml for most enteric bacilli species and 85% of strains were susceptible (less than or equal to 8 micrograms/ml). This level of activity compared favorably to that recorded for cefaclor (less than or equal to 8 micrograms/ml), cefetamet (less than or equal to 4 micrograms/ml), and cefteram (less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml), that is, 37%, 69%, and 59%, respectively. Ceftibuten, cefetamet, cefteram, and tigemonam were highly active against isolates of Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. None of the comparative agents were as active as cefaclor against staphylococcal isolates. Against streptococci, cefteram was the most active, and tigemonam the least active of the agents. The MIC90s of ceftibuten for strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes were 2 micrograms/ml and 0.5 microgram/ml, respectively. Strains of Streptococcus agalactiae were resistant to both ceftibuten and tigemonam; cefaclor and cefteram inhibited 100% of isolates of this species. Strains of Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were consistently resistant to all of the compounds. Overall, ceftibuten exhibited potent activity against many multiply-resistant clinical isolates.     

Activity of WY-49605 compared with those of amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, cefaclor, cefpodoxime, cefuroxime, clindamycin, and metronidazole against 384 anaerobic bacteria.

The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards agar dilution method was used to compare the in vitro activity of WY-49605 (also called SUN/SY 5555 and ALP-201), a new broad-spectrum oral penem, to those of amoxicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, cefaclor, cefpodoxime, cefuroxime, clindamycin, and metronidazole against 384 clinically isolated anaerobes. These anaerobic organisms included 90 strains from the Bacteroides fragilis group, 87 Prevotella and Porphyromonas strains, non-B. fragilis group Bacteroides strains, 56 fusobacteria, 55 peptostreptococci, 49 gram-positive non-spore-forming rods, and 47 clostridia. Overall, WY-49605 had an MIC range of 0.015 to 8.0 micrograms/ml, an MIC at which 50% of the isolates are inhibited (MIC50) of 0.25 microgram/ml, and an MIC at which 90% of the isolates are inhibited (MIC90) of 2.0 micrograms/ml. Good activity against all anaerobe groups was observed, except for Clostridium difficile and lactobacilli (MIC50s of 4.0 and 2.0 micrograms/ml, respectively, and MIC90s of 8.0 and 2.0 micrograms/ml, respectively). Imipenem had an MIC50 of 0.03 microgram/ml and an MIC90 of 0.25 microgram/ml. Ciprofloxacin was much less active (MIC50 of 2.0 micrograms/ml and MIC90 of 16.0 micrograms/ml). By comparison, all oral beta-lactams were less active than WY-49605, with susceptibilities as follows: amoxicillin MIC50 of 8.0 micrograms/ml and MIC90 of > 256.0 micrograms/ml), amoxicillin-clavulanate MIC50 of 1.0 microgram/ml and MIC90 of 8.0 micrograms/ml, cefaclor MIC50 of 8.0 micrograms/ml and MIC90 of > 32.0 micrograms/ml, cefpodoxime MIC50 of 4.0 micrograms/ml and MIC90 of > 32.0 micrograms/ml, and cefuroxime MIC50 of 4.0 micrograms/ml and MIC90 of > 32.0 micrograms/ml. Clindamycin was active against all groups except some members of the B. fragilis group, Fusobacterium varium, and some clostridia ( overall MIC50 of 0.5 micrograms/ml and overall MIC90 of 8.0 micrograms/ml). Metronidazole was active (MIC of less than or equal to 4.0 micrograms/ml) against all gram-negative anaerobic rods, but most gram-positive non-spore-forming rods, some peptostreptococci, and some clostridia were less susceptible. To date, WY-49605 is the most active oral beta-lactam against anaerobes: these results suggest clinical evaluation for clinical indications suitable for oral therapy.     

In vitro activities of the quinolone antimicrobial agents A-56619 and A-56620.

The in vitro activities of two new quinolone antimicrobial agents, A-56619 and A-56620, were compared with those of norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and other antimicrobial agents. The activity of A-56620 was comparable to that of ciprofloxacin against Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, and Aeromonas hydrophila (MICs for 90% of the strains were less than or equal to 0.06 micrograms/ml); Acinetobacter anitratus and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC for 90% of the strains was 0.5 micrograms/ml); and most streptococci. Against other gram-negative strains, A-56620 demonstrated activity comparable to that of norfloxacin, but the new drug was two to eight times more active than norfloxacin against gram-positive isolates. A-56620 was more active than A-56619 against most gram-negative organisms tested. Of the members of the family Enterobacteriaceae examined, 88% were inhibited by A-56619 and 99% by A-56620 at concentrations of less than or equal to 1.0 microgram/ml. By time-kill methods, the new quinolones were bactericidal against gram-negative bacilli during the first 6 h of incubation, but against S. aureus and enterococci the drugs were primarily bacteriostatic during this period. The frequency of spontaneous resistance to 10 micrograms of these drugs per ml was less than 10(-8) for all species tested except E. cloacae, but by serial passage through incremental concentrations of the antimicrobial agents, colonies many-fold more resistant than the initial isolate could be selected. However, resistance to concentrations of the drug greater than 100 micrograms/ml remained stable after passage on antibiotic-free media in only 1 of 35 strains tested.     

In vitro and in vivo evaluations of A-80556, a new fluoroquinolone.

A-80556 is a novel fluoroquinolone with potent antibacterial activity against gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic organisms. A-80556 was more active than ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, lomefloxacin, and sparfloxacin against gram-positive bacteria. A-80556 was particularly active against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC for 90% of isolates [MIC90], 0.12 microgram/ml, relative to fluoroquinolone-susceptible strains) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (MIC90, 0.12 microgram/ml). A-80556 was also the most active of the quinolones tested against ciprofloxacin-resistant S. aureus, with an MIC90 of 4.0 micrograms/ml; that of ciprofloxacin was > 128 micrograms/ml. However, the significance of this activity is not known. A-80556 was slightly less active against Escherichia coli (MIC90, 0.06 microgram/ml) and other enteric organisms than ciprofloxacin (MIC90 for E. coli, < or = 0.03 microgram/ml). A-80556 was slightly less active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC90, 4.0 micrograms/ml) than ciprofloxacin (MIC90, 2.0 micrograms/ml) and more active against Acinetobacter spp. (respective MIC90s, 0.12 and 0.5 microgram/ml). A-80556 was also the most active compound against anaerobes. Against Bacteroides fragilis, the MIC90 of A-80556 was 2.0 micrograms/ml; that of ciprofloxacin was 16 micrograms/ml. The in vivo efficacy of A-80556 in experimental models with both gram-positive and gram-negative infections was consistent with the in vitro activity and pharmacokinetics and oral absorption in mice.     

Comparative in vitro activity of WIN 57273, a new fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent.

The in vitro activity of WIN 57273, a new fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent, was evaluated against approximately 600 bacterial isolates. The new drug was 4- to 128-fold more active than ciprofloxacin against a broad range of gram-positive organisms, with the new drug inhibiting 90% of strains of each species except Enterococcus faecium at concentrations of less than or equal to 0.25 microgram/ml. WIN 57273 was four- to eightfold less active than ciprofloxacin against many members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, but the MICs of the new drug for 90% of strains tested (MIC90s) were less than or equal to 8 micrograms/ml (range, 0.25 to 8 micrograms/ml) for all species. Branhamella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Legionella spp. were highly susceptible (MIC90s, less than or equal to 0.06 microgram/ml). WIN 57273 demonstrated excellent activity against anaerobes (MIC90s, less than or equal to 0.25 microgram/ml), and the drug was also more active than ciprofloxacin against 30 strains of Mycobacterium avium-M. intracellulare (MIC, 0.1 to 1.0 microgram/ml). The activity of WIN 57273 against gram-positive organisms was minimally affected by pH and increased at low pH (5.4) against gram-negative organisms. The bactericidal activity of WIN 57273 was demonstrated by time-kill techniques against selected organisms. The frequencies of spontaneous resistance to the new agent were low, but resistant colonies could be selected after serial passage of initially susceptible organisms through incremental concentrations of the drug.     

In vitro activity of A-16686, a new glycopeptide

A-16686 is a novel glycopeptide antibiotic derived from Actinoplanes. A-16686 inhibited hemolytic streptococci groups A, B, C, F, and G at concentrations of less than or equal to 0.06 to 0.5 microgram/ml, with 90% inhibited by 0.5 microgram/ml, including erythromycin-resistant isolates. S. bovis, various viridans groups streptococci, S. mitis, S. mutans, and S. sanguis were inhibited by less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml, and MICs of S. faecalis and S. faecium were 0.5-2 micrograms/ml. Most staphylococci, including methicillin-resistant strains, were inhibited by 1 or 2 micrograms/ml. A-16686 was bactericidal with minimal difference between MIC and MBC for gram-positive species. A-16686 did not inhibit Enterobacteriaceae or Pseudomonas.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of sparfloxacin (AT-4140, CI-978, PD 131501) compared with numerous other quinolone compounds

Sparfloxacin (AT-4140, CI-978, PD 131501) was tested against over 800 recent bacteremic strains and compared with ciprofloxacin and six other fluoroquinolones. The 90% minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) ranges for the Enterobacteriaceae species were (a) sparfloxacin, 0.03-1 microgram/ml and (b) ciprofloxacin, 0.015-0.25 microgram/ml. Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae were very susceptible to sparfloxacin (MIC90s, 0.004- less than or equal to 0.03 microgram/ml) and the other comparison drugs. Staphylococcus aureas and other staphylococci were generally susceptible to the tested fluoroquinolones but very susceptible to sparfloxacin and WIN 57273. All beta-hemolytic streptococci, enterococci, and pneumococci had sparfloxacin MICs of less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml. Sparfloxacin was quite active against anaerobic bacteria including Bacteroides fragilis gr. and Gram-positive strains (MIC90s, less than or equal to 2 micrograms/ml). The most resistant enteric bacilli were among Serratia marcescens and the Proteae, especially the Providencia spp. (two- to eightfold higher MICs). Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were also susceptible to sparfloxacin (MIC90, 2 micrograms/ml). Magnesium ions, CO2 incubation, and low pH had some adverse effect on sparfloxacin MICs, and resistance development was documented among current clinical isolates of staphylococci, pseudomonas, and some enteric species.     

A-61827 (A-60969), a new fluoronaphthyridine with activity against both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

A-61827 (A-60969 is the hydrochloric salt of A-61827) is a new aryl-fluoronaphthyridine which is active against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The MICs of A-61827 for 90% of strains (MIC90) of staphylococci and streptococci were less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml and were generally 1 to 4 twofold dilutions less than those of ciprofloxacin for these bacteria. The MIC90S of A-61827 for members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were also less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml. Ciprofloxacin was 1 to 3 twofold dilutions more active than A-61827 against these gram-negative bacteria. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Campylobacter jejuni, and Haemophilus influenzae were susceptible to less than 0.06 microgram of A-61827 per ml. The MIC90 of A-61827 for Legionella pneumophila was 0.25 microgram/ml. A-61827 was as potent or 1 to 2 twofold dilutions more potent than ciprofloxacin against these organisms. The MIC90 of A-61827 for all anaerobic bacteria was less than or equal to 4 micrograms/ml compared with less than or equal to 32 micrograms/ml for ciprofloxacin. In mouse protection tests, A-61827 was as active as ciprofloxacin against Escherichia coli, P. aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhimurium and 5 to 10 times more active than ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. A-61827 was as active as ciprofloxacin against P. aeruginosa in a mouse pyelonephritis model and more active than ciprofloxacin and metronidazole in a mouse Bacteroides fragilis abscess model. After oral administration of 100 mg/kg to mice, the peak concentrations of A-61827 and ciprofloxacin in serum were 2.3 and 2.4 micrograms/ml and the half-lives in serum were 3.9 and 1.2 h, respectively.     

Antimicrobial activity of coumermycin and recommendations for disk diffusion tests with 5- and 15-micrograms disks

Coumermycin was found to be extremely active against methicillin-susceptible and -resistant Staphylococcus spp. (MIC 90, less than or equal to 0.002 microgram/ml). Vancomycin and coumermycin were equally active against Streptococcus spp. (MIC 90s, 0.5 microgram/ml) and both were superior to fusidic acid (MIC 90, 8.0 micrograms/ml). The enterococci had the highest MICs for all three drugs. Disk diffusion susceptibility tests using either 5 or 15 micrograms coumermycin disks seem reliable. The tentative interpretive breakpoints for testing the Staphylococcus spp. only are: 5 micrograms disk-susceptible greater than or equal to 17 and resistant less than or equal to 13 mm; 15 micrograms disk-susceptible greater than or equal to 20 mm and resistant less than or equal to 16 mm. These zone criteria have approximate coumermycin MIC correlates of less than or equal to 0.12 microgram/ml for susceptible and greater than or equal to 0.5 microgram/ml for resistant.     

In vitro susceptibility of Ureaplasma urealyticum clinical isolates to new macrolides.

Nine antimicrobial agents, the new macrolides, rokitamycin and midecamycin acetate, and seven other antibiotics, tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline, josamycin, erythromycin, spiramycin, and norfloxacin, were studied for their antimicrobial activity against 100 strains of Ureaplasma urealyticum, using a microtiter broth dilution technique. The new macrolides, rokitamycin and midecamycin acetate, had the highest activity, with the MIC against 90% of isolates tested (MIC90) being less than or equal to 0.05 microgram/ml. MICs90 of erythromycin, josamycin, doxycycline, minocycline and tetracycline ranged from 0.1 to 0.78 micrograms/ml. Norfloxacin was least active, with a MIC90 of 12.5 micrograms/ml. Five of 100 strains tested were resistant (MIC greater than or equal to 12.5 micrograms/ml) to tetracycline, and two were resistant to minocycline and doxycycline; all of these were susceptible to rokitamycin and midecamycin acetate.