In Vitro Development of Resistance to Telithromycin (HMR 3647), Four Macrolides, Clindamycin, and Pristinamycin in Streptococcus pneumoniae

The ability of 50 sequential subcultures in subinhibitory concentrations of telithromycin (HMR 3647), azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin A, roxithromycin, clindamycin, and pristinamycin to select for resistance was studied in five macrolide-susceptible and six macrolide-resistant pneumococci containing mefE or ermB. Telithromycin selected for resistance less often than the other drugs.