Abstract
Widespread usage of antimicrobial agents has resulted in the selection of resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Until recently, infections due to Staphylococcus aureus resistant to gentamicin have been rare. However, several reports of such resistant organisms have appeared in the past year.
Recently six patients, on four separate wards of the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, developed significant clinical infections with Staphylococcus aureus resistant to gentamicin. While all six patients had received previously one or more courses of combination antibiotic therapy, including gentamicin, none of the patients had received topical gentamicin.
Three infants developed cellulitis around gastrostomy sites; one patient developed a draining abscess at the nephrostomy site; one patient developed a wound infection at the margin of an amputated limb; and one patient developed multiple draining skin abscesses with concomitant septicemia. Three distinct antibiotic sensitivity patterns were demonstrated suggesting that at least three strains of Staphylococcus aureus were responsible for these infections.
Widespread usage of gentamicin has apparently contributed to the selection of virulent, gentamicin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains associated with significant infections.
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Ross, L., Mason, W. & Wright, H. GENTAMICIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS INFECTIONS. Pediatr Res 11, 504 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00808
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00808
