RESISTANCE TO CEFTRIAXONE AND OTHER BETA-LACTAMS IN BACTERIA ISOLATEDIN THE COMMUNITY

The incidence of bacterial species and their susceptibilities to ceftr iaxone and other beta-lactams from patients with community-acquired in fections were evaluated in a multicenter study over a 4-month period, A total of 5,768 bacterial isolates were classified according to wheth er the patient had been previously hospitalized or had received antibi otic treatment. The most relevant findings were the presence of 33.8% penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates, 25% beta-lacta mase-producing Haemophilus influenzae isolates, and 36.4% amoxicillin- resistant Escherichia coli isolates, All of these bacteria were fully susceptible to ceftriaxone. Nosocomial multiply-resistant bacteria, an d particularly methicillin-resistant S. aureus, were found, as expecte d, at a higher frequency among previously hospitalized patients. Howev er, such bacteria may be present in the community; their incidence is high in particular clinical settings, and such bacteria should be cons idered when one is choosing a first-line therapy for the treatment of severe infections.