RESISTANCE PATTERNS TO BETA-LACTAMS AND QUINOLONES IN CLINICAL ISOLATES OF BACTERIA FROM CUBAN HOSPITALS

The resistance patterns to 26 beta-lactams and a quinolones of clinica l isolates from Cuban hospitals were evaluated using the disk suscepti bility test, according to the NCCLS guidelines (1992). The genera stud ied were Escherichia sp (320), Enterobacter sp (10), Klebsiella sp (90 ), Proteus sp (10), Pseudomonas sp (90), Serratia sp (20), and Staphyl ococcus sp (80). Higher resistance to beta-lactams was observed in the genera Pseudomonas, Escherichia and Klebsiella. For fluoroquinolones we found no significant resistance, with the exception oi the genus Kl ebsiella. The most effective antibiotics were cephalosporins of the se cond and third generations, fluoroquinolones, and non-classical beta-l actams (cephamycins, moxalactam and monobactams). On the contrary, a p ronounced resistance was found to penicillin, oxacillin, ticarcillin, ampicillin, methicillin, nalidixic acid and cinoxacin. These resistanc e patterns correspond to the high consumption of these antibiotics thr oughout the country.