In vitro susceptibility of nosocomial isolates against a new aminoglycoside isepamicin

Background & objectives : Isepamicin is a new aminoglycoside with a spectru m of activity similar to amikacin with an advantage of possessing a high le vel of stability against different aminoglycoside modifying enzymes. The in vitro susceptibility of nosocomial isolates obtained from patients admitte d to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi during October- December, 1999 was tested against isepamicin and compared with other aminog lycosides. Methods : A total of 251 clinical isolates were studied which included Esch erichia coli 87, Klebsiella pneumoniae 54, Pseudonomas aeruginosa 38, Staph ylococcus aureus 27 (methicillin resistant S, aureus 15, methicillin sensit ive S. aureus 12), Acinetobacter species 26, Enterobacter aerogenes 9, Prot eus mirabilis 5, Proteus vulgaris 2, and Citrobacter species 3. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against isepamicin and other aminoglycoside s including amikacin, gentamicin, netilmicin and tobramycin was done using NCCLS guidelines. The cut-off values of isepamicin were used as that of ami kacin. Results : We found that overall 153 nosocomial isolates were sensitive to i sepamicin as compared to 95 for amikacin in this hospital. Isepamicin showe d a superior in vitro activity compared to the other aminoglycosides tested . Interpretation & conclusions: Isepamicin ran be a good alternative in multi drug resistant nosocomial isolates in hospitals where amikacin resistance i s emerging.