Survey of susceptibility of urinary isolates of bacterial species to antibacterial agents in 2002

Based on the solution-dilution MICs recommended by the Japan Society of Chemotherapy, we assessed the activity of antibacterial agents against urinary isolates of 1,582 strains of 12 uropathogenic species obtained in 2002 from outpatients and patients hospitalized at Fujita Health University Hospital. Methicillin-resistant strains accounted for 50% of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The most common species isolated was Enterococcus faecalis (16.3%). Much difference existed in resistance to antibacterial agents between enterococcal species, Enterococcus faecium being the most resistant. Escherichia coli accounted for over 50% of the 1,151 gram-negative bacillus strains. The proportion of new quinolons (NQ)-resistant E. coli strains was 15%, and these 25 strains (4.4%) were suspected of producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). ESBL-producing strains with NQ-resistance accounted for 80%. Over 90% of Klebsiella pneumoniae was susceptible to all agents. The distribution of antipseudomonal agent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa indicated a decrease in the number of multiresistant strains and an increase in strains susceptible to all agents. Some difference existed in resistance to antibacterial agents between Proteus species. No ESBL-producing or multiresistant strains were isolated among Serratia marcescens. Our results suggest problems in which enterococcal species with resistance increase in gram-positive cocci and ESBL-producing and NQ-resistant strains are detected in gram-negative bacilli.