Susceptibility of 461 Nosocomial Gram-Negative Pathogens to Enoxacin and Other Antibiotics

Abstract

The in vitro activity of enoxacin against 461 strains of Gram-negative aerobic bacteria, recently isolated from clinical specimens, was assessed by broth dilution techniques which determined minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). The sensitivity of all species of Gram-negative fermentative bacteria ranged from 66.6% (Kluyvera ascorbata and Morganella morganii) to 100% (Hafnia alvei) [MIC range 0.25 to 64 mg/L]. For Gram-negative nonfermentative species, the overall susceptibility of isolates ranged from 53% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa to 100% for Alcaligenes faecalis and Aeromonas hydrophila. The percentages of resistant strains to enoxacin were evaluated in comparison with piperacillin, ceftazidime, gentamicin, netilmicin and amoxicillin using a standard agar diffusion technique. Although enoxacin demonstrated some inter-species variability, in actuality it showed similar overall activity to that of ceftazidime, gentamicin and netilmicin, but was more active overall than piperacillin and amoxicillin.