In vitro activity of teicoplanin against gram-positive cocci

The glycopeptide susceptibility of 443 clinical isolates of gram-positive c occi collected from nine general hospitals in 1996 was determined according to the recommendations of the CA-SFM (the Antibiogram Committee of the Fre nch Society for Microbiology). In total, 234 isolates of Staphylococcus aur eus, 84 isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), 98 enterococci and 27 streptococci were collected. The mecA gene confirming resistance to methicillin was found in 42.7 % of S. aureus isolates and 51.2 % of CNS iso lates. No resistance to teicoplanin and vancomycin was found in S. aureus b ut four isolates of CNS had an MIC of teicoplanin greater than or equal to 8 mg/L, All isolates of Enterococcus faecalis tested were susceptible to bo th glycopeptides, This study confirms that teicoplanin has a very good in v itro activity against gram-positive cocci, isolated in France from nosocomi al infections. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.