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Hi, Our Vitek antibiotic suseptibility report for the last 12 months shows 99% of MRSA isolates (n=430) sensitive to gentamicin. This is not GM500 or High level gentamicin (HLG). I note that Sanford's Guide shows gentamicin as "not clinically effective" for MRSA. Should we supress the gentamicin results totally or warn to only use it in combination with another agent ? Thanks.
This is an interesting, relatively recent phenomenon where increasing susceptibility of MRSA to gentamicin has been seen in areas where CA-MRSA is emerging (Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2006 Aug;27(8):879-83). In the past there has been considerable debate as to the efficacy of aminoglycosides against S. aureus (including MRSA), but they do work in vitro and there is evidence from trials in neutropenic patients years ago that this class of compounds was effective against S. aureus. I would be comfortable in reporting the results as tested in your laboratory.
 
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