Frequent resistance of clinical group b streptococci isolates to clindamycin and erythromycin

• Published in: Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953) Vol. 92; no. 2; pp. 258 - 261
• Main Authors: Pearlman, Mark D., Pierson, Carl L., Faix, Roger G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-08-1998; The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Antibacterial agents; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Biological and medical sciences; Cefazolin - therapeutic use; Clindamycin - therapeutic use; Drug Hypersensitivity - epidemiology; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Erythromycin - therapeutic use; Female; Humans; Medical sciences; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Penicillin G - therapeutic use; Penicillins - adverse effects; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - epidemiology; Streptococcus agalactiae - drug effects; Streptococcus agalactiae - isolation & purification; Vancomycin - therapeutic use; Human; Urinary system disease; Clindamycin; Erythromycin; Statistical study; Macrolide; Urogenital; Female genital diseases; Infection; Streptococcaceae; Antibiotic; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Streptococcus B; Bacteriosis; Bacteria; Micrococcales; Female; Frequency; Negative therapeutic reaction
• ISSN: 0029-7844; 1873-233X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0029-7844(98)00155-0

Objective: To determine both the frequency of reported penicillin allergy in parturients and the frequency of resistance in vitro of clinical isolates of group B streptococci to clindamycin and erythromycin.
Methods: One hundred clinical isolates of group B streptococci were tested to determine the frequency of resistance to clindamycin, erythromycin, penicillin G, vancomycin, and cefazolin. The frequency of beta-lactam allergy and reported allergic reaction also were recorded for all consecutive laboring women during the 4-month study.
Results: The frequency of group B streptococcal resistance to clindamycin was 15% and to erythromycin was 16%. No isolates were resistant to penicillin G, vancomycin, or cefazolin. Twelve percent of the 963 women who delivered during the study reported a penicillin allergy, but only 30% of those could describe their allergic reaction.
Conclusion: In vitro resistance of group B streptococci to clindamycin and erythromycin occurred frequently in this population. Whereas the importance of this finding in vivo is uncertain, it raises concern about the possibility of inadequate prophylaxis using currently recommended alternatives in penicillin-allergic patients. Artful questioning of women reporting penicillin allergy may lessen the likelihood of using these less desirable agents in the setting of intrapartum antimicrobial prophylaxis.