Susceptibility of clinical isolates to cefotaxime

Susceptibilities of 737 strains of 19 species of bacteria to cefotaxime (CTX) were determined based on the inhibition zone diameter obtained by the single-disc method. Four categories were assessed. 1. Susceptibility of clinical isolates to CTX and 6 other antibiotics Against most strains, CTX showed higher antibacterial activity than other drugs (CET, ABPC, SBPC, CMZ, GM, AMK), especially for S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes and S. agalactiae. Furthermore, CTX was more active than the other antibiotics against E. coli, Indole (+) Proteus, P. mirabilis, Klebsiella sp., S. marcescens, H. influenzae and E. cloacae. 2. Susceptibility of strains isolated from different clinical materials CTX showed the highest antibacterial activity against most strains isolated from sputum, urine, pus, blood and cerebrospinal fluid. However, CTX was occasionally less than potent AMK and GM against strains isolated from bile. Against P. aeruginosa strains derived from clinical materials, the following results were obtained: AMK greater than CFS, FOM greater than CTX greater than GM greater than SBPC 3. Susceptibility of clinical isolates in 7 different fields CTX was the most active antibiotic tested in the fields of internal medicine, pediatrics, urology, obstetrics & gynecology, dermatology and otorhinolaryngology. But in surgery, CTX was less potent than GM and AMK. 4. Susceptibility of clinical isolates of inpatients and outpatients CTX showed excellent activity against many beta-lactamase resistant strains isolated from patients.     

The antibacterial activity of new cephem antibiotics against clinical isolates. A comparison of the antibacterial activity of cefotaxime with 6 other antibiotics

During the period from May through July 1981, a comparative study was carried out on the antibacterial activities of cefotaxime (CTX) and ceftizoxime (CZX), cefoperazone (CPZ), latamoxef (LMOX), cefotiam (CTM), cefmetazole (CMZ) and cefazolin (CEZ). CTX and these other cephem antibiotics were tested against fresh clinical isolates which had been obtained from clinical materials by the laboratories of 14 participating medical institutions. 1. The clinical isolates were obtained from various clinical materials in the following decreasing order: urine, sputum and pus/discharge; 85.7% of the isolates came from these materials. 2. Concerning the sources of each species of clinical isolates, it was found that P. aeruginosa was isolated from the greatest number -9- of different clinical materials. This was followed by E. coli and E. cloacae, each isolated from 8 different clinical materials, and C. freundii and E. aerogenes, each found in 7 different clinical materials. 3. In relation to S. pyogenes, S. agalactiae and S. pneumoniae, CTX showed the best antibacterial activity; the second most potent antibiotic was CZX. CMZ and LMOX were found to show relatively high MIC values for those species. Against S. aureus, CEZ showed the best antibacterial activity, but 3 resistant strains had MICs of greater than 100 micrograms/ml. 4. With regard to Gram-negative bacteria, CTX and CZX showed the best antibacterial activities for all of the species, except for P. aeruginosa. These were followed, in order, by LMOX and CPZ. Compared with these 4 antibiotics, CTM, CMZ and CEZ were found to have inferior antibacterial activities against these bacteria. In relation to P. aeruginosa, the peak of the MIC distribution for CPZ was 6.25 micrograms/ml, and this was the best antibacterial activity detected with the various antibiotics tested. This was followed by CTX (25 micrograms/ml) LMOX (25 micrograms/ml) and CZX (50 micrograms/ml). CTM had an MIC of 100 micrograms/ml for 1 strain, and MICs of greater than 100 micrograms/ml for all of the other strains of P. aeruginosa, indicating them to be resistant to this antibiotic. All of the strains were resistant to CMZ and CEZ, showing MICs of greater than 100 micrograms/ml. 5. For each of the tested antibiotics, no correlation was found between the MIC and the serogroup for either P. aeruginosa or S. marcescens.     

Antibacterial activities of monobactams against fresh clinical isolates

Antibacterial activities of monobactam antibiotics (carumonam (CRMN) and aztreonam (AZT] against Gram-negative bacilli isolated from inpatients in the latter half of 1987 were investigated using penicillin (PC: piperacillin (PIPC], cephems (CEPs: ceftazidime (CAZ), cefotaxime (CTX), latamoxef (LMOX), cefsulodin (CFS], carbapenem (imipenem (IPM] and pyridonecarboxylic acids (norfloxacin (NFLX) and ofloxacin (OFLX] as reference antibiotics. A total of 400 strains of 13 species, i.e. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Morganella morganii, Providencia rettgeri, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Haemophilus influenzae, were used as test strains. 1. CRMN and AZT, both monobactam antibiotics, were roughly comparable in their activities and no resistant strain to these antibiotics were found among isolates of E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., M. morganii, P. rettgeri or H. influenzae and few resistant strains were observed among isolates of S. marcescens. On the other hand, isolates of C. freundii, Enterobacter spp. and P. aeruginosa included rather numerous strains resistant to the monobactam antibiotics. Among these cases, whereas R strains, i.e. resistant strains showing MICs greater than or equal to 50 micrograms/ml, accounted for a large proportion of strains resistant to PC and CEPs, I strains, i.e. intermediately resistant strains showing MICs between 12.5 and 25 micrograms/ml, accounted for a large proportion of strains resistant to the monobactam antibiotics. 2. Strains resistant to PIPC, a PC, were detected with high and more or less uniform frequencies over the entire spectrum of the isolates examined. 3. Antibacterial activities of CEPs varied against different bacterial species. While strains resistant to CTX, CAZ and LMOX were commonly detected with high frequencies among isolates of C. freundii, Enterobacter spp. and S. marcescens, large percentages of LMOX-resistant strains of C. freundii and Enterobacter spp. were of the I type. CTX-resistant strains were also found among isolates of P. vulgaris and M. morganii. Proportions of CEP-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa were 28% for CFS and 12% for CAZ. 4. No or few strains among the isolates of 13 species investigated were resistant to IPM, a carbapenem antibiotic, which showed the most stable antibacterial activity, but it was less active than monobactam antibiotics and CEPs against Klebsiella spp., P. mirabilis and H. influenzae.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

In vitro antibacterial activity of various cephems against clinical isolates from complicated urinary tract infections

In vitro antibacterial activity of several cephems (CEZ as the first generation (group A); CTM and CMZ as the second generation (group B); CMX, CPZ, LMOX, CTX and CZX as the third generation (group C)) against 8 species, each of 54 strains, of Gram-negative clinical isolates from complicated urinary tract infection was compared by determination of the MICs. The following results were obtained: The most sensitive drugs against each species in MIC80; CTX (MIC80 0.20 microgram/ml) against E. coli, CMX (1.56 microgram/ml) against K. pneumoniae, LMOX (0.39 microgram/ml) against P. mirabilis, LMOX (0.78 microgram/ml) against Indole (+) Proteus, CMX and CPZ (50 micrograms/ml) against E. cloacae, CMX and LMOX (50 micrograms/ml) against C. freundii, CMX (3.13 micrograms/ml) against S. marcescens and CPZ (25 micrograms/ml) against P. aeruginosa The most sensitive drugs against each species in MICS100; CMX (MIC100 3.13 micrograms/ml) against E. coli, CMX (6.25 micrograms/ml) against K. pneumoniae, CTX (0.78 microgram/ml) against P. mirabilis, LMOX (1.56 microgram/ml) against Indole (+) Proteus, CPZ (100 micrograms/ml) against E. cloacae, CMX (100 micrograms/ml) against C. freundii, CMX (12.5 microgram/ml) against S. marcescens and CPZ (50 micrograms/ml) against P. aeruginosa. In each species, the group C were most sensitive followed by those of the group B. Many isolates were highly resistant to the group A (especially in C. freundii, S. marcescens and P. aeruginosa).     

Antibacterial activities of new cephems against clinically isolated organisms (author's transl)

The antibacterial activities of cefotaxime (CTX), cefoperazone (CPZ), ceftizoxime (CZX), cefmenoxime (CMX), latamoxef (LMOX), cefotiam (CTM), cefazolin (CEZ), gentamicin (GM) and cefsulodin (CFS) were investigated. All causative organisms were isolated from patients with urinary tract infections treated in Tokai University Hospital. The results were as follows. 1) The MICs of CMX, CTX, and CZX against most of clinically isolated strains of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, Indole (-) Proteus sp. were 0.1 microgram/ml and lower. And then CTM, LMOX and CPZ showed similar antibacterial activities. 2) LMOX and GM showed potent antibacterial activities against C. freundii which was considered to be causative organisms of infections in rare cases. 3) Against S. marcescens, CMX, CTX, CZX, and LMOX showed very potent antibacterial activities. 4) Against P. aeruginosa, CFS, GM and CPZ showed moderate antibacterial activities. 5) Against Enterobacter sp., GM and CMX showed potent antibacterial activities.     

Susceptibility of clinical isolates to cefotaxime. Comparison to new antibiotics latamoxef, cefoperazone, and ceftizoxime

Susceptibilities of 372 strains of bacteria to cefotaxime (CTX) were determined based on the inhibition zone diameter obtained by the single-disc method. Four categories were assessed. Susceptibility of clinical isolated to CTX and 3 other antibiotics. Against most strains, CTX showed higher antibacterial activity than other drugs in the low concentration, especially for S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, S. agalactiae, E. coli and P. morganii. Susceptibility of strains isolated from different clinical materials. CTX showed the highest antibacterial activity against most strains isolated from pus, blood and cerebrospinal fluid and showed higher activity against strains isolated from other materials, too. Susceptibility of clinical isolates in 7 different fields. CTX was shown to have uniformly higher antibacterial activity than other drugs against isolates from such fields as internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, urology, obstetrics & gynecology, dermatology and otorhinolaryngology. CTX showed the highest antibacterial activity in dermatology. Susceptibility of all clinical isolates. CTX showed the highest antibacterial activity against isolated pathogenic 352 strains (except for P. aeruginosa of 20 strains).     

An in vitro study on combination effect of isepamicin and beta-lactam antibiotics

A study was done on the combined actions of an aminoglycoside, isepamicin (ISP), and 3 beta-lactam antibiotics (cefoperazone (CPZ), latamoxef (LMOX) and imipenem/cilastatin sodium (IPM/CS] against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of individual antibiotics were compared first. ISP and IPM/CS had strong antibacterial activities against all 3 bacterial species while the antibacterial activities of CPZ against P. aeruginosa and S. marcescens, and that of LMOX against P. aeruginosa were much weaker than those of IPM/CS or ISP. Fractional inhibitory concentration indices determined by the checker-board dilution method were compared next. ISP, when used in combination with beta-lactam antibiotics (CPZ, LMOX, or IPM/CS), showed synergistic or additive effect on most strains of the all 3 species, the combination of ISP and CPZ being most effective. Although less effective, synergistic or additive effects were also observed with the combinations of 2 beta-lactam antibiotics (CPZ and IPM/CS, LMOX and IPM/CS). Time course experiments demonstrated that ISP combined with CPZ had bactericidal activities against all 3 bacterial species at concentrations at which the respective drug alone showed only bacteriostatic activity.     

In vivo combination effects of astromicin and beta-lactam antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Astromicin (ASTM, Fortimicin) is a pseudodisaccharide aminoglycoside antibiotic. The ASTM exhibited excellent activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria but was only weakly active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro synergistical activities of ASTM combined with beta-lactam antibiotics have been reported against P. aeruginosa previously. In this paper, we investigated the in vivo combination efficacies of ASTM and beta-lactam antibiotics (latamoxef (LMOX), cefoperazone (CPZ), piperacillin (PIPC) and cefsulodin (CFS) against experimental infection with P. aeruginosa in both normal and immunosuppressed mice. In normal mice, the combination of ASTM with these beta-lactam antibiotics produced significantly greater protective effects than the single use of individual antibiotics against both strains of P. aeruginosa BMH No. 1 and E-2. In mice immunosuppressed with cyclophosphamide, the combination of ASTM with LMOX or CFS also exhibited synergistic protective effects against P. aeruginosa BMH No. 1, but PIPC and CPZ did not. From the above results, the combination therapy of ASTM with beta-lactam antibiotics appeared to be effective against experimental infections with P. aeruginosa in mice.     

Distribution and changes in the susceptibility of bacteria isolated from clinical samples. II

In vitro activity of antimicrobial agents such as ABPC, SBPC, MPC, CEZ, CTM, CMZ, CTX, CMX, CZX, LMOX, CPZ, CFS and GM against major clinical isolates, S. aureus, S. pyogenes, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, C. freundii, Enterobacter spp., S. marcescens, P. vulgaris and P. aeruginosa, was examined. In this paper, we will report the susceptibility of S. aureus, S. pyogenes, E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis during a three-year period, 1981 to approximately 1983. CEZ- and GM-resistant S. aureus has markedly increased and occupied 24% and 18%, respectively, in 1983. CMZ and CFS have showed potent activity against CEZ-resistant S. aureus. It seems that the abuse of third generation-cephems and new oral cephalosporins is closely related with the increase of cephems-resistant S. aureus. The penicillin- and cephem-resistant strains of S. pyogenes could not be found in our study. Quite a few strains of E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis are resistant to penicillins, and also there is no appreciable change in susceptibility. Some strains of E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis showed low susceptibility to CPZ, but all strains showed high susceptibility and no change in susceptibility to third generations, and these strains showed no tendency to decrease in susceptibility to GM.     

Comparison of in vitro activity of first, second and third generation cephem antibiotics against various pathogens isolated from clinical materials in 1983

In vitro susceptibilities of 3,286 strains of various pathogens isolated from clinical materials in 1983 to various cephem antibiotics were studied using the Showa disk diffusion test. The following antibiotics were evaluated: cephalexin (CEX), cephalothin (CET), cefazolin (CEZ), cefotiam (CTM), cefoxitin (CFX), cefmetazole (CMZ), cefotaxime (CTX), cefoperazone (CPZ), ceftizoxime (CZX), cefmenoxime (CMX) and latamoxef (LMOX). S. aureus: Susceptible strains to CET, CEZ, CTM, CFX and CMZ with MIC less than 15 micrograms/ml accounted for 93, 75, 93, 70 and 96% of the strains tested, while those to CTX, CPZ, CZX, CMX and LMOX for 89, 65, 61, 86 and 62%, respectively. Susceptible strains to CEX at MICs less than or equal to 20 micrograms/ml were 60%. Prevalence of bacterial resistance to CEX and CEZ, which have been used extensively, was greater than that to CET, CTM or CMZ, showing a bimodal distribution of MICs. The third generation cephems studied, in general, also showed bimodal distributions of MICs. S. pyogenes: All strains studied were susceptible to CET, CTX, CPZ, CZX, CMX and LMOX at MICs less than or equal to 15 micrograms/ml. However, susceptible strains to CEZ, CTM, CFX and CMZ accounted for 95, 95, 80 and 90%, respectively, while those to CEX at MICs less than or equal to 20 micrograms/ml for 79%. S. pneumoniae: At MICs less than 3 micrograms/ml, all strains were susceptible to all cephem antibiotics tested. S. faecalis: Only a very few strains were susceptible to these antibiotics. E. coli, K. pneumoniae and Proteus spp.: Susceptible strains of E. coli and K. pneumoniae to CEX at MICs less than or equal to 20 micrograms/ml accounted for 80 and 81% of the strains tested, while those of indole negative and positive Proteus for 69 and 4%, respectively. Strains of E. coli susceptible to CET, CEZ, CTM, CFX and CMZ at MICs less than or equal to 15 micrograms/ml were 78 to 96%, while those to CTX, CPZ, CZX, CMX and LMOX were 94 to 100%. Those of K. pneumoniae to these 2 groups of antibiotics were 81 to 95% and 94 to 100%, respectively. Susceptible strains of indole negative Proteus to the former group were 81 to 93% and those to the latter were 100%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Comparative studies on activities of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from urinary tract infections (1985). I. Susceptibility distribution

The results of determinations of sensitivities of bacterial strains to various antibiotics are summarized as follows: 1. Against Escherichia coli, ofloxacin (OFLX) showed the strongest activity among oral antibacterial and antibiotic agents. Its MIC90 was below 0.10 micrograms/ml. The next strongest activity was found in mecillinam (MPC), cefaclor (CCL) and pipemidic acid (PPA); MIC90's of these agents 3.13 micrograms/ml. Cefotiam (CTM), cefotaxime (CTX), ceftizoxime (CZX), cefmenoxime (CMX) and latamoxef (LMOX) had MIC90 below 0.39 micrograms/ml. MIC90's of cefmetazole (CMZ) and cefoperazone (CPZ) were 1.56 micrograms/ml. Aztreonam (AZT) and carumonam (CRMN) in the monobactam group showed strong activities with MIC90's at 0.20 micrograms/ml. 2. Although Klebsiella pneumoniae had a strong resistance to ampicillin (ABPC) and showed relatively low sensitivities to other oral antibacterial and antibiotic agents, OFLX maintained high activity against this species and showed MIC90 of 0.39 micrograms/ml. Among injectable antibiotics, third generation cephems showed the strongest activity to this species with MIC90 of CZX below 0.10 micrograms/ml, of CTX and CMX 0.20 micrograms/ml, and of LMOX 0.78 micrograms/ml. MIC90 of CPZ was 6.25 micrograms/ml, which was the same as those of cefazolin (CEZ) and cefoxitin (CFX). CTM had similar MIC90 to LMOX, namely, 1.56 micrograms/ml. MIC90 of CMZ was 3.13 micrograms/ml. Monobactams AZT and CRMN showed strong activities to this species; their MIC90's were below 0.10 micrograms/ml and 0.20 micrograms/ml. 3. Although Citrobacter freundii generally exhibited low sensitivities to antibacterial and antibiotic agents examined, it showed high sensitivity to OFLX, at MIC80 of 0.78 micrograms/ml. This species showed low sensitivities to MPC, nalidixic acid (NA), PPA, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (ST). Among injectable antibiotics, LMOX and CMX had activities against this species; namely, MIC80's were 6.25 and 3.13 micrograms/ml, respectively. Among monobactams, AZT showed MIC80 of 12.5 micrograms/ml, and CRMN had that of 6.25 micrograms/ml. 4. Against Enterobacter cloacae, the strongest antibacterial activity was found with OFLX which had MIC90 of 0.39 micrograms/ml. A relatively strong activity was seen with MPC. MIC80 of MPC was 1.56 micrograms/ml. Except to CTM, this species had poor sensitivities to injectable first and second generation cephems, and their MIC80's were over 200 micrograms/ml. MIC80 of CTM was 25 micrograms/ml.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Comparison of antibacterial potencies of oral and parenteral antibiotic preparations against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Citrobacter, and Proteus isolated from urinary tract infections (3: 1981). 2. Changes in bacterial sensitivities

Since 1979 the antibacterial activity of antibiotics against E. coli, Klebsiella, Citrobacter and Proteus isolated from patients with urinary tract infections has been investigated. The serious transition of susceptibilities of E. coli and Klebsiella could not be recognized in these antibiotics (MPC, ABPC, NA, PPA, CEX, CEZ, CTM, CMZ and CFX). However, a few resistant organisms against the third generation's antibiotics (CTX, CMX, CZX, LMOX and CPZ) have already been appeared, we have to observe these results, continuously.     

In vitro combination effects of astromicin and beta-lactam antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro synergistic activities

In vitro synergistic activities of astromicin (ASTM), a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, combined with beta-lactam antibiotics (cefsulodin (CFS), cefoperazone (CPZ), latamoxef (LMOX) were investigated against P. aeruginosa by the checkerboard technique, FIC index and the killing curve. FIC indexes of ASTM in combination with beta-lactam antibiotics against 11 fresh clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, P. aeruginosa BMH No. 1 and E-2 were synergistic or partially synergistic in most cases. Checkerboard of P. aeruginosa BMH No. 1 and E-2 to ASTM and 3 beta-lactam antibiotics showed the synergism, too. Bacteriostatic concentrations of ASTM, CFS, CPZ or LMOX showed synergistically bactericidal effects when these antibiotics were added in combination to the culture of P. aeruginosa BMH No. 1.     

Comparison of in vitro antibacterial activities of new cephems against clinical organisms (isolated between June 1983 and January 1984)

We compared the in vitro antibacterial activities of ceftizoxime (CZX), cefotaxime (CTX), cefmenoxime (CMX), cefoperazone (CPZ), ceftazidime (CAZ), latamoxef (LMOX) and cefotetan (CTT) against 2,729 strains of 11 organisms freshly isolated from 10 medical institutions in Japan between June 1983 and January 1984 and obtained the following results: Against S. pyogenes, LMOX and CTT, which have the methoxy group at the 7 position, were less active than the other drugs. LMOX inhibited 80% of S. pyogenes at 0.78 micrograms/ml; CTT, at 1.56 micrograms/ml; but CZX and CTX inhibited 100% at 0.025 micrograms/ml or lower; CMX, at 0.05 micrograms/ml; and CPZ and CAZ, at 0.20 micrograms/ml. Against H. influenzae, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis and indole-positive Proteus, these test antibiotics, especially CZX, CTX and CMX, which have the aminothiazolyl methoxyimino group, were potently active. Against S. marcescens CZX and CAZ were more active than the other drugs and against P. aeruginosa CAZ was more active than the other drugs. The test organisms did not tend to acquire resistance to these cephems when our results were compared with the results obtained at the development period.     

Fundamental and clinical studies of aztreonam in pediatric infections

Fundamental and clinical studies were carried out with aztreonam (AZT), a new monocyclic beta-lactam antibiotic, in pediatric infections. Results were as follows. The mean half-lives in the vein blood were 1.09 hours, 1.18 hours, 1.22 hours after injection, when the doses were 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively. Dose response was observed. The average recovery rates in the urine between 0 and 6 hours were 40.2%, 42.3%, 50.8% when the doses were 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, respectively. The antibacterial activity of AZT against 16 clinical isolates were determined in comparison with those of ABPC, CPZ, LMOX and CTX. Against 8 clinical isolates of E. coli and 3 of H. influenzae, the activity of AZT was equal or superior to that of CPZ, LMOX and CTX, and way by far superior to that of ABPC. Twenty-three pediatric patients received AZT in doses ranging from 48 to 79 mg/kg divided 3 times a day; 12 cases of urinary tract infection, 9 cases of respiratory tract infection and 2 cases of bacterial enterocolitis. The rate of clinical effectiveness was 100%. No side effect was observed. Slight elevation of GOT and GPT were observed in 2 cases, increase of platelet count in 2. All were considered to be transient and mild.     

Comparative studies of antimicrobial agents against causative organisms isolated from urinary tract infections (1984). I. Susceptibility distribution

Our research group was engaged for 3 years (1979-1981) in a study on sensitivities to antibiotics of 4 bacterial groups including representative pathogenic bacteria found in cases of urinary tract infections; i.e. E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Citrobacter spp., and Proteus spp. Since 1982, all the bacterial strains isolated by our group from patients with urinary tract infections and deemed by doctors in charge as pathogens were sent to the Laboratory of Clinical Pathology of Juntendo University, where they were refixed and subjected to MIC determination. This is the third year of the new study. E. coli was detected most frequently from patients with urinary tract infections and the detection frequency was 28% (323/1,153) this year (1984), whereas it was 35.3% (304/860) last year, showing a 7% decline from last year to this year. E. faecalis was next frequent organism (12.7% or 147/1,153) followed by P. aeruginosa (10.8% or 124/1,153). This order, however, was reversed from last year. Other pathogens, in a decreasing order of isolation frequencies following the above three, were as follows: Proteus spp. (9.5% or 109/1,153), S. marcescens (6.2% or 71/1,153), S. epidermidis (5.4% or 62/1,153), K. pneumoniae (4.9% or 56/1,153), Enterobacter spp. (2.4% or 28/1,153) and Citrobacter spp. (2.3% or 27/1,153). The results of the determination of the sensitivity of bacterial strains to the antibiotics are described below. Of all the oral antibacterial and antibiotic agents used against E. coli, mecillinam (MPC), cefaclor (CCL) and pipemidic acid (PPA) proved to have high antibacterial potency, and their MIC90 (the concentration to inhibit growths of 90% of the objective bacteria) was 3.13 micrograms/ml. The MIC90's of cefotiam (CTM), cefotaxime (CTX), ceftizoxime (CZX), cefmenoxime (CMX) and latamoxef (LMOX) were less than 0.39 microgram/ml. The MIC90's of cefmetazole (CMZ) and cefoperazone (CPZ) were invariably 1.56 micrograms/ml. K. pneumoniae was not sensitive to ampicillin (ABPC) and did not show much sensitivity to other oral antibacterial and antibiotic agents also. Of all the injectable preparations of antibiotics, cephem antibiotics of the third generation showed the most potent antibacterial effects against K. pneumoniae, and their MIC90's were lower than 0.10 microgram/ml for CZX, 0.20 microgram/ml for CTX, 0.39 microgram/ml for CMX, and 0.78 microgram/ml for LMOX, while MIC90's of CPZ was 6.25 micrograms/ml, which was equal to that of CMZ. The MIC90 of CTM was 0.78 microgram/ml which was identical to that of LMOX.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Study on the drug sensitivity of multiple drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Of clinically isolated Staphylococcus aureus showing resistance to multiple drugs among penicillins (PCs), cephem antibiotics (CEPs), aminoglycosides (AGs), minocycline (MINO) and fosfomycin (FOM), 64 strains were selected for the determination of MIC. Twenty-one drugs were used for the determination of MIC, with ampicillin (ABPC), cloxacillin (MCIPC), cephalothin (CET), cefazolin (CEZ), cefotiam (CTM), cefuroxime (CXM), cefamandole (CMD), cefotaxime (CTX), ceftizoxime (CZX), cefmenoxime (CMX), cefmetazole (CMZ), cefoxitin (CFX), latamoxef (LMOX), cefotetan (CTT), cefoperazone (CPZ), gentamicin (GM), dibekacin (DKB), tobramycin (TOB), amikacin (AMK), MINO, and FOM. MIC80 of each drug at 10(6) CFU/ml were: ABPC, MCIPC, CEZ, CTM, CXM, CTX, CZX, CMX, CFX, LMOX, CTT, CPZ, GM, DKB and TOB greater than 100 micrograms/ml; CET 50 micrograms/ml; CMD and AMK 25 micrograms/ml; CMZ 12.5 micrograms/ml; FOM 6.25 micrograms/ml; and MINO 0.78 micrograms/ml. The ratio of highly resistant strains with MIC greater than 100 micrograms/ml at 10(6) CFU/ml varied according to drug, and a difference tended to be seen in the degree of influence by resistant factors reflected upon MIC, e.g. drugs for which a high resistance of more than 50% was confirmed were ABPC, CXM, CZX, LMOX and TOB, and 20 approximately 30% MCIPC, CTM, CTX, CMX and CFX. MIC on MCIPC which has a correlation of structural activity with methicillin correlated with cephems (CEPs) resistance to a high degree, but many of the so-called new CEPs showed resistance even to the strains with a low MIC on MCIPC. It was assumed that CEPs resistant strains have multiple drug resistant factors based on the fact that such strains showed multiple drug resistance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Antimicrobial activity of sulbactam/cefoperazone. Comparison with other new cephems

Antimicrobial activities of sulbactam/cefoperazone (SBT/CPZ) against 50 fresh clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter spp., Serratia marcescens, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were compared to those of CPZ, Cefotiam (CTM), Cefotaxime (CTX) and Latamoxef (LMOX). Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC's) of SBT and CPZ mixed in a ratio of 1:1 were determined by the dilution method using Mueller-Hinton agar and expressed by absolute concentrations of CPZ. Antimicrobial activities of SBT/CPZ against principally penicillinase (PCase) producing bacteria, i.e., S. aureus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, were superior to those of CPZ alone. The presence of SBT in concentrations around 0.39 approximately 1.56 micrograms/ml clearly enhanced CPZ's antimicrobial activities against these PCase producing strains. The synergistic antimicrobial effects of SBT in combination with CPZ were less pronounced against principally cephalosporinase (CEPase) producing bacteria, i.e., C. freundii, Enterobacter spp., S. marcescens, P. vulgaris, and P. aeruginosa, and exerted with SBT at concentrations around 3.13 approximately 12.5 micrograms/ml. Comparative antimicrobial activities indicated by MIC80's of tested agents showed that SBT/CPZ had more stable activities against bacteria ranging from Gram-positive to Gram-negative bacteria than CTM, CTX and LMOX. MIC's of SBT/CPZ were higher than 25 micrograms/ml against 8% of S. aureus, 18% of C. freundii, 10% of Enterobacter spp., 26% of S. marcescens, 2% of P. vulgaris, and 18% of P. aeruginosa. These resistant strains against which the addition of SBT showed no synergism, may possess other mechanism of resistance than beta-lactamase production. It is concluded that the presence of CPZ resistant strains is an actual current problem and not an imaginary future problem, and that the number of resistant strains against other new cephems which have different chemical structure from CPZ is increasing. When these present bacteriological environments are considered, the appearance of SBT/CPZ in the clinical practice is timely and meaningful.     

Laboratory and clinical studies on ceftazidime in the field of pediatrics

Laboratory and clinical studies on ceftazidime ( CAZ ), a new cephem antibiotic, were carried out in the field of pediatrics. The results were as follows: Antibacterial activities of CAZ against clinically isolated strains of S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, E. coli and P. aeruginosa were compared with those of cefotaxime (CTX), ceftizoxime (CZX), latamoxef ( LMOX ), cefoperazone (CPZ) and cefmetazole (CMZ), and also with cefsulodin (CFS) and gentamicin (GM) against P. aeruginosa. Against S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae, CAZ was almost as active as CTX, CZX and CPZ. Against E. coli, it was almost as active as CTX, CZX and LMOX . Against P. aeruginosa, it was almost as active as CFS and GM. Serum concentrations and urinary excretion rates after intravenous bolus injection of CAZ at doses of 20 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg for 5 minutes in each 2 cases (4 cases in total) were determined. The mean serum concentrations of CAZ were 78.9 and 52.0 micrograms/ml at 15 minutes, 38.5 and 27.4 micrograms/ml at 1 hour, and 6.5 and 4.8 micrograms/ml at 4 hours, with serum half-lives (T 1/2) of 1.39 and 1.80 hours respectively. Mean cumulative urinary excretion rate within 6 hours after administration was 84.6%. In a patient with chronic renal failure, serum half-life was 3.22 hours and urinary excretion rate within 6 hours was 22.8% (after intravenous bolus injection of CAZ at a dose of 10 mg/kg). CAZ was administered at a dose of 55.5 mg/kg by intravenous bolus injection to a child with purulent meningitis. The levels of CAZ in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at 1 hour after administration were 2.7-38.9 micrograms/ml with CSF/Serum ratios of 3.2-28.8%. Forty-two pediatric patients with various bacterial infections (pyelonephritis 14, tonsillitis 1, bronchopneumonia 3, pneumonia 17, purulent meningitis 1, bacteremia 2, SSSS 1, enterocolitis 3) were treated with CAZ at a daily dose of 49-222 mg/kg t.i.d. or q.i.d. (as a rule 60 mg/kg t.i.d.). The efficacy rate was 97.6% clinically and 97.8% bacteriologically. No adverse reactions were observed except 1 case with mild diarrhea. Abnormal laboratory findings were also only mild; eosinophilia in 1, slight elevation of GOT in 5 and that of GOT & GPT in 3 cases. These results indicate the usefulness of CAZ in the treatment of bacterial infections in children.     

In vitro combination effects of astromicin and beta-lactam antibiotics against CFS-sensitive and CFS-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro synergistic activity

We investigated in vitro synergistic activity of astromicin (ASTM) combined with beta-lactam antibiotics (cefsulodin (CFS), cefoperazone (CPZ), ceftazidime (CAZ), piperacillin (PIPC) and fosfomycin (FOM) against fresh clinical isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which consisted of 13 CFS sensitive (MIC less than or equal to 3.13 micrograms/ml) and 19 CFS resistant (MIC greater than or equal to 400 micrograms/ml) strains according to the FIC index. Against CFS-sensitive P. aeruginosa, ASTM showed good synergistic activities when combined with PIPC (54%), CAZ (38%), CPZ (23%) and CFS (8%). Against CFS-resistant P. aeruginosa, ASTM also showed high synergistic activities when combined with CAZ (63%), CPZ (47%), PIPC (37%) and CFS (11%). Among the CFS-resistant P. aeruginosa, one clinical isolate showed a high sensitivity (MIC0.78 micrograms/ml) against ASTM alone.