The activity of vancomycin and teicoplanin alone and in combination with gentamicin or ampicillin against Streptococcus faecalis.

The in vitro activities of vancomycin and teicoplanin against 56 strains of Streptococcus faecalis were compared. Killing curves showed that vancomycin and teicoplanin were bacteriostatic and that synergy was achieved when each was combined with gentamicin. The bactericidal activity displayed by 4 mg/l of ampicillin against Streptococcus faecalis was antagonized by 4 mg/l of vancomycin and 0.5 mg/l of teicoplanin respectively.