Erythromycin and clindamycin resistance in Corynebacterium diphtheriae from skin lesions

Abstract

Erythromycin- and clindamycin resistant Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates were recovered from skin lesions. Resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was induced by a subinhibitory concentration (0.03 μg/ml) of erythromycin. Clindamycin (0.07 μg/ml) was a more effective inducer of its own resistance than of erythromycin resistance. Erythromycin-inducible cross-resistance to vernamycin Bα was demonstrated in disk diffusion tests.