Increased Bactericidal Activity as Documented by Serum Bactericidal Titers for a Triple Combination of Cell Wall Active Agents against Gentamicin-resistant Enterococci

Abstract

Infections caused by enterococci have become increasingly difficult to treat because these bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin, gentamicin and vancomycin. A consensus for an optimal therapy of enterococcal infections caused by resistant isolates has not yet been determined. We present a patient with prolonged enterococcal sepsis in whom a combination of ampicillin, vancomycin and imipenem was ultimately sucessfull in suppressing enterococcal bacteremia. The enhanced activity of this triple combination was documented by the results of serial serum bactericidal titers.