[Practical problems raised by antibiotic minimal inhibitory concentration determination in Legionella species (author's transl)].

Because of culture medium constitution and growth conditions of Legionella species, antibiotic Minimal inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination is difficult and does not fit with the accepted standards. The following strains have been tested : references strains : Staphylococcus aureus Oxford CNCM 53154, S. aureus 209P CNCM 53156, E. coli CNCM A224, E. coli CNCM 7324. L. pneumophila, 9 strains representative of the 6 serogroups. L. micdadei, L. dumoffii. 5 clinical isolates of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 (3 isolated in our Laboratory and 2 in Belgium). MIC of 17 antibiotics have been determined, among them macrolids not tested before. The method used was the Agar Dilution Method, with several media compared. MIC values are different in function of the various media tested Charcoal yeast extract medium, which is recommended for Legionella growth, does not inhibit activity of penicillin G, cefalotin, cefoxitin, amikacin, erythromycin and lincosamins, in contrast of tetracyclin, gentamicin, dibekacin, chloramphenicol, oleandomycin, pristinamycin, spiramycin and rifampicin. Charcoal, ferric pyrophosphate and L-cystein present in the culture medium are inactivating factors. However our results confirm good activity of rifampicin, erythromycin, cefoxitin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin and amikacin. Among the others macrolids tested, pristinamycin is the most active.