In vitro susceptibility of Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus to different antimicrobial agents

Seventeen strains of Arcobacter butzleri and thirteen of Arcobacter cryaerophilus, were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility to 26 antimicrobial agents. Among beta-lactams agents in this study, imipenem was the most active agent against both A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus isolates with MIC90 values of 2 and 4 mg/l, respectively. The most active cephalosporin tested was cefepime, although it was more active against A. butzleri (MIC90 8 mg/l) than A. cryaerophilus (MIC90 64 mg/l). Levofloxacin, marbofloxacin, enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were the best-performing fluoroquinolones against these species. Of the aminoglycosides, amikacin was the most active agent against both A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus strains with MIC90 values of 64 and 16 mg/l, respectively. All isolates showed high levels of resistance to penicillins, macrolides, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim and vancomycin. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. and the International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.