Decline of erythromycin resistance of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci in Japan. Comparison with worldwide reports
J. W. Bass, M. E. Weisse, M. R. Plymyer, S. Murphy and B. J. Eberly
Department of Pediatrics, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the current prevalence of erythromycin resistance
and penicillin tolerance of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) in
Japan. RESEARCH DESIGN: One hundred four isolates of GABHS from the
civilian community in Tokyo and 101 isolates from the military population
at the US Air Force Base in Yokota, Japan, were tested for erythromycin
susceptibility and penicillin susceptibility and tolerance. SETTING: US
Army Medical Center. RESULTS: Of the Japanese civilian isolates, two were
moderately susceptible and none were resistant to erythromycin; of the
military isolates, none were moderately susceptible and one was resistant,
for an overall resistance rate of 0.49%. All isolates were exquisitely
susceptible to penicillin, and no evidence of penicillin tolerance was
found. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison with similar studies world-wide shows that
erythromycin susceptibility of GABHS in Japan is now among the lowest in
the world, while just over a decade ago it was the highest. These
observations mandate constant monitoring of erythromycin resistance of
GABHS wherever this drug is used to treat patients with infections due to
this organism.
