SUMMARY
Purpose:
To assess the reliability of biochemical pattern (biotype) to determine erythromycin sensitivity of multiple Staphylococcus aureus isolates from the conjunctiva and lid margin of healthy eyes.
Methods:
The authors analyzed 42 samples of S. aureus, isolated from 100 volunteers, through MicroScan® (Dade lnternational, West Sacramento, CA) Pos-Combo type 6 panels. Biochemical reactions were organized in a table. The biotype number was determined by adding values of each reaction according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Results:
Biotype 317147 was more prevalent (n = 19), 11 being sensitive to erythromycin and 8 resistant. Other biotypes were analyzed: 317163 (n = 8), 317167 (n = 6), 317347 (n = 2), etc.
Conclusion:
It was concluded that biotyping alone can not predict everythromycin sensitivity erythromycin sensibility for S. aureus biotype 317147 (CI 95%o, 0.29-0.087 for sensible isolates and 0.08-0.76 for resistant isolates).
Keywords:
Staphylococcus aureus; MicroScan; Erythromycin; Biotyping