In vitro activity of ciprofloxacin, azthreonam and ceftazidime against Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

In vitro activity of carumonam (RO 17-2301) and twelve other antimicrobials against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Minimal inhibitory concentrations of the monobactam carumonam (RO 17-2301) and twelve other antimicrobials were determined using agar dilution against 140 recent non-replicate clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The most active drugs were ciprofloxacin, amikacin, imipenem and ceftazidime, inhibiting 96, 91, 90 and 86 percent of the strains, respectively, at or below the susceptibility threshold. The monobactams carumonam and aztreonam were active against 78 and 65 percent of the strains, respectively. Tobramycin inhibited 68 percent of the strains, and gentamicin and netilmicin 50 and 21 percent, respectively. Analysis of correlation coefficients revealed a low correlation between imipenem and the other beta-lactams and a remarkably good correlation between the beta-lactams (excepting imipenem) and the aminoglycosides.

Fluorinated quinolones. A review of their mode of action, antimicrobial activity, pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy

Quinolones, chemically related to nalidixic acid, have a strong and rapid bactericidal action against Gram-negative bacteria, including Ps. aeruginosa, some Mycobacteria, Legionella and Staphylococci. Streptococci and anaerobic bacteria are usually less sensitive. The quinolones exert their bactericidal action through inhibition of the enzyme DNA gyrase. Quinolones are absorbed for 50-100% from the gastro-intestinal tract, their volume of distribution is generally high (2 l/kg) and high concentrations are reached in almost all organs. The elimination half-lives range from 4 to 14 h. The efficacy of quinolones in urinary tract infections has been shown in many studies. They also seem to be effective in many serious infections. In animal studies their efficacy was generally equal or superior to aminoglycosides. Until now only mild and infrequent side effects have been reported.