Ten-year survey of quinolone resistance inEscherichia coli causing urinary tract infections

In a ten-year survey (1983–1992) of quinolone resistance inEscherichia coli causing urinary tract infections in a general practice patient population, 9,934 strains were tested. Resistance increased remarkably from 1989 onwards. The rate of resistance to pipemidic acid was ≤6 % before 1989 and 18 % in 1992; the rate of resistance to ciprofloxacin (MIC≥4mg/l) was 0.8 % in 1989 and 7.1 % in 1992. Although the consumption of older quinolones decreased the total consumption of quinolones increased yearly.