Resistance of Group A Streptococci to Tetracycline

Abstract

THE present study was undertaken to determine the incidence of tetracycline resistance among strains of Group A streptococci isolated from clinical sources. In this study in vitro sensitivities to penicillin, erythromycin and tetracycline were determined for strains isolated in 1960–1961 and strains isolated before 1940. The results confirm reports^{1 , 2} that a significant proportion of Group A streptococci isolated from human patients with infections during recent years are resistant to the action of the tetracycline drugs. The significance of these observations is that tetracycline resistance may be responsible for failure of tetracycline to cure the streptococcal carrier state³ or to halt . . .