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Infective endocarditis caused by penicillin-resistant viridans group streptococci: a series of nine cases from a Spanish cohort

Escrihuela-Vidal F, Fernández-Hidalgo N, Muñoz P, Villamarín M, Jiménez García N, Escudero EM, Martínez Marcos FJ, Cuervo G et al.

The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy, 2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) caused by viridans and gallolyticus group streptococci (VGS-GGS) resistant to penicillin (PEN-R; minimum inhibitory concentration ≥4 mg/L) is rare but poses therapeutic challenges.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of patients with IE caused by PEN-R VGS-GGS, focusing on antimicrobial management.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort of definite IE caused by PEN-R VGS-GGS between 2008 and 2023 in 40 Spanish hospitals. We describe clinical characteristics, management and outcome of the cases, and compare them to IE caused by VGS-GGS with susceptibility or susceptibility with increased exposure to penicillin (PEN-I).

RESULTS: We identified nine cases of PEN-R VGS-GGS IE in a cohort of 1563 streptococcal IE (0.58%). All isolates belonged to S. mitis group. Three cases died during hospitalization and no relapse occurred at 3 months of follow-up. Compared to cases with susceptibility or PEN-I, PEN-R showed a higher rate of mitral location (78% versus 51%), surgical indication (67% versus 51%), and in-hospital mortality (33% versus 12%). Most cases (86%) showed resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. The preferred antibiotic regimen was beta-lactam-based: ceftriaxone plus gentamicin, penicillin plus gentamicin, ceftriaxone plus levofloxacin, and ceftaroline plus daptomycin. Two cases received a combination of vancomycin plus gentamicin. Levofloxacin was used in two cases in combination with ceftriaxone or…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence.

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