Beta-lactam antibiotics and viridans group streptococci

The aim of this review is to present an update on the susceptibility of viridans group streptococci (VGS) to β-lactam antimicrobials, with emphasis on the Argentinean scenario. VGS are a heterogeneous group including five groups of species, each one exhibiting peculiar susceptibility patterns to pen...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Lopardo, Horacio Angel, Vigliarolo, Laura, Bonofiglio, Laura, Gagetti, Paula Silvana, García Gabarrot, Gabriela, Kaufman, Sara, Mollerach, Marta Eugenia, Toresani, Inés, Von Specht, Martha Helena
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2022
Country:Argentina
Institution:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Repository:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Language:Spanish
OAI Identifier:oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/218221
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11336/218221
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:ENDOCARDITIS
PENICILLIN-BINDING PROTEINS
RESISTANCE
VIRIDANS GROUP STREPTOCOCCI
Β-LACTAMS
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/3.3
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/3
Description
Summary:The aim of this review is to present an update on the susceptibility of viridans group streptococci (VGS) to β-lactam antimicrobials, with emphasis on the Argentinean scenario. VGS are a heterogeneous group including five groups of species, each one exhibiting peculiar susceptibility patterns to penicillin (PEN). Species of the Streptococcus mitis group are frequently nonsusceptible to PEN. PEN resistance is associated with changes in PEN-binding proteins. In Argentina, one to two thirds of VGS are nonsusceptible to PEN. Third generation cephalosporins and carbapenems are currently more effective in vitro than PEN against VGS. Mortality was associated to nonsusceptibility to PEN in at least two studies involving patients with bacteremia caused by VGS. Treatment of endocarditis due to VGS should be adjusted/to the PEN susceptibility of the isolates. Vancomycin may be an alternative choice for treating endocarditis caused by PEN-resistant isolates (MIC ≥ 4 μg/ml).