The Rapid Emergence of High Level Gentamicin Resistance in Enterococci
Kevin R Forward,1,2James K Kennedy,2Patricia A Degagne,1Kathy R Bartlett,1and Godfrey KM Harding1,2
Received26 Jan 1990
Accepted27 Jul 1990
Abstract
The proportion of enterococci isolated from blood and urine cultures that were highly resistant to gentamicin and streptomycin were determined. No blood or urine isolates highly resistant to gentamicin were seen in 1983, whereas by 1986–87 25% of blood and 17% of urine isolates were highly resistant. The rapid emergence of gentamicin resistance has serious implications for patients with life threatening enterococcal disease.