ANTIBIOTIC-TREATMENT OF YERSINIA-ENTEROCOLITICA SEPTICEMIA - A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF 43 CASES

Of 53 documented cases of Yersinia enterocolitica septicemia reported to the French national registry between 1985 and 1991, 43 files contai ned sufficient information on antibiotic treatment to be analyzed retr ospectively. All patients had at least two positive cultures of blood collected before the initiation of treatment. All strains were suscept ible in vitro to the antibiotics that are usually active against gram- negative rods except for older beta-lactam agents (i.e., aminopenicill ins and first-generation cephalosporins). No multiresistant strain was isolated. Only four (7.5%) of the 53 patients died. Aminopenicillins, first-generation cephalosporins, and-when prescribed alone-amoxicilli n/clavulanate were not effective. Third-generation cephalosporins, mos t often used in combination with other antibiotics, were successful in 85% of cases. Fluoroquinolones-alone or in combination-cured all of 1 5 infections, with patients improving rapidly and becoming apyretic wi thin 1-4 days. These agents therefore seem to constitute the best trea tment.