Incidence of high-level gentamicin resistance in enterococci at Johannesburg Hospital.

OBJECTIVE

To document the incidence of high-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR) in enterococcal isolates at Johannesburg Hospital.

DESIGN

Survey of laboratory isolates.

SETTING

Academic hospitals. BACTERIAL STRAINS: Consecutive samples of enterococcal isolates.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The incidence of HLGR in enterococcal isolates.

RESULTS

The incidence of HLGR was 26.5% of Enterococcus faecalis isolates and 20% of E. faecium isolates grown during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

High-level gentamicin resistance is common among enterococci isolated at Johannesburg Hospital, and this observation must be considered in defining strategies for the management of invasive enterococcal infections in the future.