SURVEY OF ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY AMONG GRAM-NEGATIVE BACILLI AT A CANCER CENTER

A survey of the susceptibility of gram-negative bacilli isolated from cancer patients to broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents was conducted. The organisms were isolated from all patient specimens submitted to th e microbiology laboratory during a 3-month study period. Overall, the least resistance was observed against cefoperazone/sulbactam, ciproflo xacin, and imipenem. Of these, cefoperazone/sulbactam has had limited usage at our institution. Drugs used more frequently (piperacillin, az treonam, cefoperazone, ceftazidime) were associated with greater level s of resistance. Imipenem and ciprofloxacin have enjoyed wide usage bu t the level of resistance remains low.