Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis to 65 antibiotics.

The susceptibilities of 36 recent isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and 35 recent isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis were determined against each of 65 antimicrobial agents and against two of them in combination. Rifampin was the most active of all the agents tested against both S. aureus and S. epidermidis. Among the penicillins, cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, and nafcillin were most active, although benzylpenicillin and phenoxymethyl penicillin were more active against susceptible strains. Cephaloridine was the most active of the cephalosporins, and sisomicin was the most active aminoglycoside. Minocycline was more active than the other tetracycline analogues tested. Among the macrolide-lincomycin compounds in clinical use, clindamycin was more active, and lincomycin was less active than erythromycin. The synergy of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was more striking against S. aureus than against S. epidermidis. The median minimal inhibitory concentrations of the penicillins, cephalosporins, and aminoglycosides were lower against S. aureus, whereas the minimal inhibitory concentrations of the tetracyclines were lower against S. epidermidis.