IN-VITRO ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY OF YERSINIA-ENTEROCOLITICA ISOLATES FROM STOOLS OF PATIENTS IN THE NETHERLANDS FROM 1982-1991

The MICs of 24 antimicrobial agents were determined for 335 strains of Yersinia enterocolitica isolated from faeces in the Netherlands durin g 1982-1991. The isolates belonged to biotypes 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4 and to serotypes 03, 05.27, 06.3, 07.8, 08, 09. Almost all strains were susce ptible to piperacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, imipenem, all cephalo sporins except cefazolin, the aminoglycosides, quinolones, co-trimoxaz ole, doxycycline and chloramphenicol but resistant to amoxycillin, co- amoxiclav and macrolides. No association was observed between suscepti bility patterns, biotype or serotype nor were there marked changes in the susceptibilty during the last decade. The agents traditionally use d to treat human infection, including co-trimoxazole, doxycycline and chloramphenicol may remain drugs of first choice.