Intrinsic Bacterial Resistance

Intrinsic resistance is the natural, predictable insensitivity of certain bacteria to specific antibiotics. Recognising these patterns helps guide effective initial therapy and supports antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary practice.

Some in vitro resistance patterns can be predicted based on the organism s identity.This influences the drugs used in susceptibility testing and in treatment. Below is a table of important intrinsic resistances. These resistances should be known byclinicians in order to avoid inappropriate and ineffective therapy.

Most Gram-negative Bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp.): Penicillin G, Oxacillin, Macrolides (e.g. Azithromycin, Erythromycin, Tylosin), Lincosamides (e.g. Lincomycin, Clindamycin), Streptogramins (e.g. Virginiamycin), Glycopeptides (e.g. Vancomycin), Bacitracin

  • Klebsiella spp.: Ampicillin
  • Proteus vulgaris: Ampicillin, Cephalosporins I (e.g. Cephalexin), Polymyxins, Doxycycline
  • Proteus mirabilis: Tetracycline, Polymyxins, Doxycycline
  • Serratia marcescens: Ampicillin, Amoxycillin-Clavulanate (Clavulox), Cephalosporins I, Polymyxins
  • Enterobacter sp.: Ampicillin, Amoxycillin-Clavulanate, Cephalosporins I, Cefoxitin
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Ampicillin, Amoxycillin-Clavulanate, Cephalosporins I and II (including Cefovecin), Tetracycline (including Doxycycline), Chloramphenicol, Trimethoprim (SXT)
  • Haemophilus spp.: Streptomycin, Kanamycin, Macrolides
  • Campylobacter jejuni & coli: Cephalosporins I, Trimethoprim
  • Most Gram-positive bacteria: Polymyxins, Quinolones/Fluroquinolones (e.g. Enrofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Difloxacin, Marbofloxacin)
  • Streptococcus spp.: Aminoglycosides (low level)(e.g. Gentamycin, Neomycin, Farmycetin/Soframycin), Polymyxins
  • Enterococcus spp.: Cephalosporins, Aminoglycosides (low level), Sulfonamides (in vivo), Trimethoprim (in vivo), Polymyxins, Clindamycin
  • Listeria monocytogenes: Cephalosporins, Lincosamides
  • Salmonella spp.: 1st and 2nd Generation Cephalosporins and Aminoglycosides (in vivo)
  • Pasteurella spp.: Gentamycin