In vitro susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans serotypes to GM 237354 derivative of the sordarin class

In vitro susceptibility to the sordarin derivative GM 237354 and amphotericin B were tested in a total of 190 Cryptococcus neoformans clinical isolates from different geographical areas of Spain and South American countries. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were obtained using the NCCLS reference microbroth dilution method and analysed according the serotypes of Cr. neoformans. The MICs for amphotericin B were lower than 1.0 microg ml(-1) (MIC90% 0.5 microg ml(-1) , MIC50% 0.125 microg ml(-1)) but five isolates showed MICs of 2.0 microg ml(-1) to GM 237354 (MIC90% 1.0 microg ml(-1), MIC50% 0.5 microg ml(-1)). Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii serotype B, was significantly less susceptible than A and AD serotypes (P = 0.047 and P = 0.022, respectively).     

Antifungal susceptibilities of Cryptococcus neoformans cerebrospinal fluid isolates from AIDS patients in Kenya

Poor susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans to fluconazole (FLC) is a matter of concern among clinicians in Africa. The emergence of resistance to FLC was recently reported in Kenya, but it is not known whether it is widespread. Thus, there is need for more antifungal drug susceptibility studies in Kenya. The aim of this study was to measure the in vitro antifungal drug susceptibilities of incident C. neoformans isolates from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients in Kenya. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed in 67 C. neoformans isolates by broth microdilution method as outlined in the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute document M27-A3 using FLC, amphotericin B (AMB), voriconazole (VOR), ravuconazole (RAV) and flucytosine (5-FC). Isolates were grown on l-canavanine glycine bromothymol blue medium for serotype identification. Six per cent of the isolates were identified as C. neoformans var. gattii serotype B or C and 94% as C. neoformans var. neoformans. All isolates tested were susceptible to AMB, VOR and RAV (100%), and high susceptibilities were seen to FLC (97%), and 5-FC (90%). Only 3% and 10% of the isolates' susceptibility to FLC and 5-FC, respectively, was dose-dependent or intermediate. These results demonstrate high susceptibilities of incident C. neoformans isolates to FLC and AMB, antifungals used for treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in Kenya.     

Molecular typing and antifungal susceptibility of clinical and environmental Cryptococcus neoformans species complex isolates in Goiania, Brazil

A total of 124 Cryptococcus isolates, including 84 clinical strains obtained from cerebrospinal fluid from AIDS patients and 40 environmental isolates from pigeon excreta and from Eucalyptus trees, were studied. The varieties, serotypes, phospholipase activity and molecular profile of these isolates were determined. Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii serotype A was identified in 120 isolates and Cryptococcus gattii serotype B in four isolates. The clinical isolates showed higher phospholipase activity than environmental isolates. Similar patterns of in vitro susceptibility to amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole and no resistance were found for all isolates. Molecular type VNI ( C. neoformans var. grubii ) was recovered in 80 clinical and 40 environmental isolates while the type VGIII ( C. gattii ) was found in four clinical isolates. This study demonstrated for the first time the molecular types of clinical and environmental Cryptococcus isolates in the midwest Brazil region.     

Serotype identification of Cryptococcus neoformans by multiplex PCR

The pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans is traditionally classified into three varieties with five serotypes: var. grubii (serotype A), var. neoformans (serotype D), var. gattii (serotypes B and C) and serotype AD (hybrid of serotypes A and D). A commercial kit, Crypto Check (Iatron Laboratories, Tokyo, Japan), has been used worldwide for serotyping isolated strains. However, its production was discontinued in 2004, and hence the present study aimed to develop a simple polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for serotyping C. neoformans strains. Subjecting genomic DNA of 59 strains of the five serotypes to multiplex PCR amplification using a set of four primers designed for the laccase gene (LAC1) differentiated serotypes A, D, B and C, but could not separate serotype AD from serotype D. However, a primer pair designed for the capsule gene (CAP64) allowed serotypes D and AD to be differentiated. When PCR amplification was performed in the simultaneous presence of the above six primers, the five serotypes produced two to five DNA fragments that could be used to distinguish them. This multiplex PCR method is useful for serotyping C. neoformans isolates, and represents an effective replacement for the Crypto Check kit.     

Current scenario of cryptococcosis and antifungal susceptibility pattern in India: a cause for reappraisal

This study analysed the spectrum, antifungal susceptibility pattern, clinical course and molecular epidemiology of cryptococcosis. Four hundred and thirty-nine samples obtained from 378 meningitis patients were processed by standard procedures. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fluconazole and amphotericin B for the isolates was tested by broth micro dilution and by E-strip method. Molecular analysis by random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR of eight isolates was performed using M13 primer. Cryptococcosis was diagnosed in 35 patients [HIV-1 seropositive (19) and apparently immunocompetent (16)]. Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans (serotype A and D) was the predominant isolate on phenotypic identification. Three C. neoformans var. gattii were isolated from HIV-1 seropositive (2) and apparently immunocompetent (1) patients. MIC 90 for amphotericin B and fluconazole were 1 and 8 μg ml⁻¹ respectively. On RAPD-PCR, less diversity was seen among Indian isolates. AIDS remains the single most important risk factor for cryptococcosis. Rising MIC of the available induction and maintenance drugs is of grave concern. The DNA typing technique showed less diversity among Indian strains. Routine surveillance and application of molecular typing methods are crucial to know the baseline and existing pattern of cryptococcosis.     

In vitro susceptibilities of Malaysian clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii and Cryptococcus gattii to five antifungal drugs

The in vitro susceptibilities of Malaysian clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii and C . gattii to five antifungal drugs (amphotericin B, flucytosine, fluconazole, itraconazole and ketoconazole) were determined using the Etest method. None of the Malaysian isolates was resistant to amphotericin B and ketoconazole. Isolates resistant to flucytosine, fluconazole and itraconazole were observed in this study. Minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) of > or = 32 microg ml(-1) against flucytosine, > or = 64 microg ml(-1) against fluconazole and > or = 1 microg ml(-1) against itraconazole were noted in four (8.3%), two (4.2%) and one (2.1%) isolates respectively. There was no significant difference in the MICs for both Cryptococcus species (P > 0.05), indicating that C. gattii was as susceptible as var. grubii to all the antifungal drugs tested. No significant difference in the MICs for both Cryptococcus species collected from 1980 to 1990 and 2002 to 2004 were observed (P > 0.05).     

In vitro activities of voriconazole (UK-109, 496), fluconazole, itraconazole and amphotericin B against 132 non-albicans bloodstream yeast isolates (CANARI study)

The aim was to evaluate the in vitro activity of voriconazole compared with those of amphotericin B, itraconazole and fluconazole against 132 bloodstream isolates of Candida non-albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae species. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by an adapted National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) M27-A method using RPMI 1640 as test medium supplemented with 2% glucose. MIC end-points were determined with a spectrophotometer after incubation for 48 h at 35 degrees C. Optical density data were used for the calculation of the MIC end-points. For amphotericin B, the end-point was defined as the minimal antifungal concentration that exerts 90% inhibition compared with the control well growth. For the azoles, the end-points were determined at 50% inhibition of growth. Amphotericin B is highly active with 97% of isolates inhibited by < or =1 microg ml(-1). Decreased susceptibility or resistance to fluconazole was the rule among C. krusei, which is intrinsically resistant to fluconazole. For C. glabrata isolates, resistance to fluconazole and itraconazole was measured in 13% and 17% of the isolates respectively. Voriconazole was quite active in vitro against all the isolates with a MIC90% of < or =1 microg ml(-1) and we conclude that it may be useful in the treatment of non-albicans bloodstream infections.     

Serotyping of Cryptococcus neoformans isolates from environmental and clinical sources in extreme southern Italy (Calabria and Sicily, central Mediterranean area)

Summary. Ninety-seven environmental and four clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans from several localities in extreme southern Italy were serotyped. All proved to be Cr. neoformans var. neoformans serotype A. The homogeneity of the serotypes suggests that geographical climatological conditions may play a role in Cr. peoformans serotype diffusion. It was furthermore revealed that, unlike the data reported for the serotypes of Cr. neoformans in mainland Italy, Cr. neoformans serotype D was not present in the examined sites in extreme southern Italy.
Zusammenfassung. Vier klinische Isolate von Cryptococcus neoformans sowie 97 Isolate aus der Umgebung verschiedener Orte im äußersten Süden Italiens wurden serotypisiert. Sämtliche Isolate erwiesen sich als Cr. neoformans var. neoformans Serotyp A. Die Homogenität dieser Serotypen deutet darauf hin, daß geographische klimatische Bedingungen in der Verbreitung von Cr. neoformans -Serotypen eine Rolle spielen. Es ergab sich ferner, daß—im Gegensatz zu den Cr. neoformans -Sero-typen auf dem übrigen italienischen Festland—der Serotyp D an den untersuchten Orten des äußersten Südens Italiens nicht vorhanden war.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of contemporary clinical strains of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates: can moxifloxacin activity be predicted by levofloxacin MIC results?

The susceptibility profile of 763 Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates was evaluated against 16 antimicrobials by the CLSI reference broth microdilution method. Minocycline (MIC(90), 1 microg/ml; 100.0% susceptible) was the most active compound, followed by doxycycline (MIC(90), 4 microg/ml; 99.6% susceptible), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (MIC(90), 1 microg/ml; 97.8% susceptible), and tigecycline (MIC(90), 2 microg/ml). An excellent correlation between levofloxacin (MIC(90), 4 microg/ml; 86.5% susceptible by published breakpoint criteria) and moxifloxacin (MIC(90), 2 micro g/ml) MIC results was observed indicating that moxifloxacin could be further evaluated as a therapeutic option for S. maltophilia infections.     

Unter welchen Voraussetzungen sind Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans‐Stämme aus Vogelexkrementen als Ursache menschlicher Infektionen anzusehen?

Detection of antigen factors of Cryptococcus with factor sera in slide agglutination confirms diagnosis of species and varieties of Cryptococcus neoformans (Cr. n). This method is important in investigations of sources of infections. Serotype D strains of Cr. neoformans were detected in pigeon breedings from Thuringia exclusively. Because of that an essential difference exists in comparison to human isolates in Germany and strains from breeding stocks of companion birds in Thuringia where serotype A strains are predominant in pet birds and in human infections. Using different primers in PCR fingerprinting Cr. neoformans isolates can be assigned to serotypes A, B, C and D and to varieties Cr. neoformans neoformans and Cr. neoformans gattii (primer FM 1). On the other hand, genetic heterogeneity of Cr. neoformans strains is detectable within the serotypes A and D (primer 60-26). This genetic heterogeneity can be demonstrated in investigations by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, too. Isolated Cr. neoformans strains from pigeons (serotype D) could be divided into 3 and from pet birds (serotype A) into 2 different clusters by FTIR spectroscopy. It is important to take into account heterogeneity of strains within serotypes for determination of infection chains of human disease.     

Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from hollows of living trees in the city of Alfenas, MG, Brazil

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast, aetiological agent of cryptococcosis, commonly associated with pigeon droppings and plant materials. The species has also been associated with tree hollows. The aim of the present work was to verify the presence of the yeast in hollows of living trees and identify the isolates obtained in varieties and serotypes. Three samples were collected from 18 trees of five different species totalling 54 samples. Wood samples were collected by scraping the surface of the trunks and the inner face of the hollows. Samples were inoculated on to agar Niger medium for fungal isolation. The serotypes were determined by PCR using specific primers. Among the 54 samples evaluated, two were positive for the presence of C. n. var. neoformans (serotype A and MATalpha). The trees belonged to Caesalpinia peltophoroides and Anadenanthera peregrina species. The results of this study suggest that decayed wood obtained from hollows of C. peltophoroides and A. peregrina can be used as natural habitat for C. n. var. neoformans.     

Follow-up of epidemiological data of cryptococcosis in Austria, Germany and Switzerland with special focus on the characterization of clinical isolates

The present survey in Austria, Germany and Switzerland continued the survey of cryptococcosis set up by the European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) in 1997. From 2000 to 2003 77 cases have been reported. An HIV infection is still the most important risk factor (68%). Young HIV+ women from ASIA contributed to the increase of cryptococcosis in females. A total of 129 clinical isolates of both surveys were genotyped by PCR fingerprinting to study the prevalence of different genotypes. The prevalence of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (serotype A) with the genotypes VNA1 and VNA2 was higher in Germany and Austria (74.5%) than in Switzerland (52%), while in Switzerland the Cr. neoformans hybrids AD (26%) and Cr. neoformans var. neoformans (serotype D) (22%) were more prevalent compared with Germany and Austria (8 and 17.5% respectively). Cryptococcus gattii isolates were studied by FT-IR spectroscopy. DNA in the ITS region was sequenced to get further information about Cr. neoformans serotype AD strains and about the geographical origin of the Cr. gattii isolates. The ITS sequence of the serotype AD isolates of the genotypes VNAD1, VNAD2 and VNAD4 is usually identical to serotype A or serotype D respectively. In the three isolates of the genotype VNAD3 a genotype-specific sequence pattern was detected. Two autochthonous infections due to Cr. gattii could indicate that the genotype VGIV with the ITS type 'Asia 2' might be endemic in Europe.     

In vitro susceptibility testing of amorolfine in pathogenic fungi isolated from dermatomycosis patients in China

The antifungal susceptibility of isolates from Chinese dermatomycosis patients to amorolfine was investigated following National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) protocols. In total, 383 isolates were tested, including 132 strains from tinea pedis, 148 strains from tinea corporis/cruris, and 103 strains from onychomycosis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of amorolfine against dermatophytes ranged from 0.01 to 0.08 microg ml(-1). The MIC(50) and MIC(90) of amorolfine for Trichophyton rubrum were both equal to 0.04 micro ml(-1); for T. mentagrophytes these MICs were 0.04 microg ml(-1) and 0.08 microg ml(-1) respectively; and for Epidermophyton floccosum they were 0.02 microg ml(-1) and 0.04 microg ml(-1) respectively. The MIC range of amorolfine against Candida parapsilosis was 0.5-16 microg ml(-1). MIC(50) and MIC(90) for C. parapsilosis were 0.5 and 2 microg ml(-1). MIC ranges of amorolfine against Scopulariopsis spp. and Acremonium spp. were 0.5-4 and 2-8 microg ml(-1), respectively. Candida albicans, Fusarium solani and Aspergillus flavus required relatively higher concentrations of amorolfine to inhibit their growth (MIC 0.125-64 microg ml(-1), MIC(50) and MIC(90) were 4 and 64 microg ml(-1)). The results demonstrated that amorolfine is the only topical agent that has such a potent antifungal activity and a broad spectrum against a wide range of pathogenic fungi.     

In vitro evaluation of griseofulvin against clinical isolates of dermatophytes from Isfahan

Fifty dermatophyte isolates, recently obtained from clinical materials, belonging to Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. verrucosum, Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton floccosum were examined for their susceptibility to griseofulvin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were obtained using the modified microdilution method. All 100% tested isolates had MIC geometric mean at a concentration between 0.43 and 0.95 microg ml(-1) The MIC(90)s and MIC(50)s were 8 microg ml(-1) and <0.25-1 microg ml(-1) respectively. From all isolates, 12% including three T. verrucosum, one M. canis and two T. mentagrophytes isolates had MIC values out of the standardized range, therefore, they were considered as relatively griseofulvin-resistant. At least some of the isolates tested might be difficult to eradicate in clinical terms with griseofulvin treatment in Isfahan.     

Antifungal and cancer cell growth inhibitory activities of 1-(3',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-nitro-ethylene

The antifungal and cancer cell growth inhibitory activities of 1-(3',4',5'-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-nitro-ethylene (TMPN) were examined. TMPN was fungicidal for the majority of 132 reference strains and clinical isolates tested, including those resistant to fluconazole, ketoconazole, amphotericin B or flucytosine. Minimum fungicidal concentration/minimum inhibitory concentration (MFC/MIC) ratios were < or = 2 for 96% of Cryptococcus neoformans clinical isolates and 71% of Candida albicans clinical isolates. TMPN was fungicidal for a variety of other basidiomycetes, endomycetes and hyphomycetes, and its activity was unaffected by alterations in media pH. The frequency of occurrence of fungal spontaneous mutations to resistance was <10(-6). Kill-curve analyses confirmed the fungicidal action of TMPN, and demonstrated that killing was concentration- and time-dependent. At sub-MIC exposure to TMPN, C. albicans did not exhibit yeast/hyphae switching. TMPN was slightly cytotoxic for murine and human cancer cell lines (GI50=1-4 microg ml(-1)), and weakly inhibited mammalian tubulin polymerization (IC50=0.60 microg ml(-1)).     

Antifungal effect of Hevea brasiliensis latex with various fungi. Its synergistic action with amphotericin B against Candida albicans

Antifungal activity of latex from Hevea brasiliensis was observed with various fungi in macrobroth dilution assays. The strongest antifungal effect was obtained with Trichosporon cutaneum (MIC 80% = 40.615 microg protein ml(-1), Kaff = 0.075 microg(-1) protein ml) and Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC 80% = 56.078 microg protein ml(-1), Kaff = 0.059 microg(-1) protein ml). Amphotericin B was synergized with all H. brasiliensis latex concentrations tested. The rates of synergy were about 50, 44 and 55% with 15, 30 and 60 microg protein ml(-1) latex, respectively. The putative role of glycosidase activities measured in crude latex, especially alpha-d-mannosidase and N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase activities which are potentially able to split off intraparietal linkages between glycosidic residues, is discussed. The possible role of another antifungal factor associated with rubber particles of latex is suggested.     

In vitro activity (MIC and MFC) of voriconazole, amphotericin B, and itraconazole against 192 filamentous fungi: the GISIA-2 study

We evaluated the in vitro activity of voriconazole, amphotericin B, and itraconazole against 192 clinical mould isolates recovered in twenty Italian microbiology laboratories. The vast majority of isolates belonged to the genus Aspergillus (94.2%) with A. fumigatus (58.3%) being the most frequently isolated species. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the broth microdilution method defined by the CLSI M38-A standard, and results were compared to those obtained with Sensititre panels. Aspergillus flavus ATCC 204304 was employed as reference strain and results were within all expected ranges. Voriconazole's activity against the 192 mould isolates was comparable to that of amphotericin B and itraconazole: voriconazole MIC90 (CLSI 1 microg/ml, Sensititre 1 microg/ml), itraconazole MIC90 (CLSI 0.5 microg/ml, Sensititre 0.5 microg/ml), amphotericin B MIC90 (CLSI 1 microg/ml, Sensititre 1 microg/ml). In conclusion, these in vitro data highlight voriconazole's broad spectrum activity against filamentous fungi and support its use as a first line agent for the treatment of fungal diseases.     

Susceptibility of 497 clinical isolates of gram-negative anaerobes to trovafloxacin and eight other antibiotics

Trovafloxacin is a novel investigational trifluoronaphthyridone antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. Its in-vitro activity and those of eight other antimicrobial agents were evaluated against 497 clinical isolates of Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria by the agar dilution method. Trovafloxacin had excellent activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of <0.03-4 microg/ml, against all species. Out of the 497 isolates tested, 496 (99.5%) were inhibited by a concentration of < or = 2.0 microg/ml of trovafloxacin; the remaining two strains were inhibited by a concentration of 4.0 microg/ml. The MIC50s and MIC90s were 0.12 microg/ml and 1.0 microg/ml, respectively. Meropenem, imipenem and piperacillin/tazobactam were also very active. Overall, at the MIC90s, trovafloxacin was as active as meropenem, slightly more active than metronidazole and imipenem, twice as active as amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, five times more active than piperacillintazobactam and 68 times more active than clindamycin. About 21% of the isolates were resistant to cefoxitin, 30% to clindamycin and 40% to piperacillin. Five species in the Bacteroides fragilis group of isolates were highly resistant to metronidazole (MIC >128 microg/ml). In general, the relatively more resistant species were the B. vulgatus, B. ovatus, B. thetaiotaomicron, and B. fragilis sensu stricto, in that order. All the isolates of the B. fragilis group and about 50% of the Prevotella spp. were beta-lactamase positive. Trovafloxacin certainly holds promise as an alternative drug for therapy of anaerobic infections.     

Electrophoretic karyotyping of Cryptococcus neoformans AD-hybrid strains

This study investigated the differences in genome structure between haploid serotype A and D isolates and AD-hybrid strains of Cryptococcus neoformans , and the correlation between the karyotype of A and D strains with their mating ability. The electrophoretic karyotyping of 16 AD-hybrid, eight haploid serotype-A MATα, and eight haploid serotype-D MATα C. neoformans isolates was performed. These 32 isolates presented, two by two, the same genotype and flow cytometry profile. Five clusters were identified, each including VNI (serotype A), VNIV (serotype D) haploid strains and VNIII AD hybrids. Similarly, mating types were also randomly distributed in the five clusters. In addition, AD-hybrid isolates, with double content of DNA, showed only a slight increase in both the number of chromosomal bands and the calculated genome size compared with haploid isolates. Data support the hypothesis that hybrid isolates are aneuploids (2n+x) rather than eudiploids (2n). In addition, a set of six mating type a strains were karyotyped and then used for mating experiments carried out crossing the haploid isolates with similar or different karyotype profile strains. Isolates with completely different karyotype were able to mate confirming that meiosis occurred even in the presence of chromosomes of different lengths.     

Comparative antimicrobial spectrum and activity of BMS284756 (T-3811; a desfluoroquinolone) tested against an international collection of staphylococci and enterococci, including in vitro test development and intermethod comparisons

The study was initiated to determine the in vitro activity and MIC/disk test comparisons of BMS284756, a new des-fluoro(6)-quinolone, against isolates of staphylococci and enterococci from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program, 2000. Isolates were tested by reference broth microdilution and standardized disk diffusion methods. Against 3,789 strains of gram-positive cocci from the SENTRY Program (2000), the BMS284756 MIC90 and percentage susceptible at < or = 2 and < or = 4 microg/ml were: Staphylococcus aureus (4 microg/ml; 89.3 and 97.1%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS; 4 microg/ml; 86.1 and 96.0%) and enterococci (> 4 microg/ml; 62.0 and 76.2%). Also tested were selected staphylococci (300 strains) and enterococci (102 strains) by two standardized methods. The activity of BMS284756 was highly correlated with oxacillin resistance among staphylococci. Oxacillin-susceptible staphylococci were all inhibited by BMS284756 at < or = 0.5 microg/ml, whereas oxacillin-resistant strains required inhibitory concentrations of > or = 1 microg/ml. Excellent correlation was observed between the MIC and 5-microg disk zone diameter for staphylococci and enterococci (r=0.91 to 0.93). Among vancomycin-susceptible enterococci, 67% of Enterococcus faecalis, 25% of E. faecium, and 76% of other Enterococcus spp. isolates were inhibited by BMS284756 at < or = 2 microg/ml. All vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE; 11 E. faecalis and 15 E. faecium) were inhibited by > or = 2 microg/ml of BMS284756. Among the non-VRE, non-faecium enterococcal isolates (n=64), 62% were inhibited by < or = 0.5 microg/ml. BMS284756 showed excellent activity against oxacillin-susceptible staphylococci and moderate activity against enterococci other than VRE and E. faecium. Acceptable correlations were observed between MIC and disk test results for both tested genus groups.