[Identification of a new penicillinase in a Klebsiella pneumoniae strain of which a mutant also produces an esterase hydrolyzing cephalothin and cefotaxime].

Klebsiella pneumoniae strain L 164 produces a penicillinase whose isoelectric point is 8.1, an unusual figure for this bacterial species. This strain exhibits resistance to conventional penicillins and a synergistic effect is seen with clavulanic acid.

[Group D streptococci and enterococci: identification, sensitivity to antibiotics and a study of the high level resistance to aminosides (Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis)].

197 strains of enterococcus and group D Streptococcus were isolated from human material at Charles Nicolle Hospital (Tunis) and identified by biochemical tests: 174, Enterococcus faecalis, 6 Enterococcus faecium, 2 Enterococcus durans and 15 Streptococcus bovis. The sensitivity to antibiotics was studied: all Enterococcus faecium were resistant at least to one antibiotic, 15% of Enterococcus faecalis were sensitive for all antibiotics tested the other species were frequently sensitive. High level resistance to aminoglycosides were frequent in Enterococcus faecalis 40%: among these strains high level resistance to gentamicin accounts for 12% and 18 frequently associated with resistance to kanamycin and streptomycin, this situation present therapeutic problems in case of severe infection.

[Non-groupable streptococci: identification, sensitivity to antibiotics (Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis)].

50 strains of viridans streptococci isolated from human material are identified by biochemical tests (bile esculin, Cl Na 6,5%, acid production from lactose, mannitol, sorbitol, inulin, arginine, esculin and starch hydrolysis; production of levan and dextran in sucrose media) Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus mitis are predominant species. Susceptibility to antibiotics was studied: 70% of viridans streptococci were susceptible to all antibiotics tested, high level resistance to aminoglycoside was not present. The only resistance observed were to tetracycline, macrolides and related drugs.

Species incidence and antimicrobial-agent resistance patterns of Enterobacteriaceae in Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, from 1983 to 1987.

Between July 1983 and December 1987, 13,108 strains of enterobacteriaceae were isolated at Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis. This study reports the prevalence of different species isolated, their resistance and the evolution of bacterial resistance during that period. There appeared to be a great stability in the distribution of bacterial groups.