Penicillin and clindamycin differentially inhibit the production of pyrogenic exotoxins A and B by group A streptococci

Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins A (SPE-A) and B (SPE-B) have been implica ted in the pathogenesis of serious group A streptococcal infections includi ng streptococcal toxic shock-syndrome. Current antibiotics used for the tre atment of these infections are penicillin and clindamycin, The effects of s ub- and suprainhibitory concentrations of penicillin and clindamycin were e valuated in 14 isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes that were fully susceptib le to both antibiotics. Clindamycin was superior to penicillin in reducing the production of SPE-A and SPE-B by invasive and non-invasive Dutch group A streptococcal isolates in vitro. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. and Inter national Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.