title: Antibacterial activity of the sulbactam-ampicillin combination.
abstract: The in vitro antibacterial activity of ampicillin combined with sulbactam 2:1 was evaluated on 257 aerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and on 174 anaerobic bacteria from isolated hospital strains by evaluating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results obtained show a synergic effect which was able to significantly decrease the MIC90 of the tested beta-lactamase producing bacteria. Among the Gram-positive aerobic strains, we underline the efficacy of sulbactam/ampicillin on resistant Staphylococci, including those methicillin-resistant. The activity on the Gram-negative strains was particularly evident against enterobacteria and haemophilus. The combination of sulbactam and ampicillin provides increased activity against anaerobic strains, including Bacteroides fragilis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: F V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Sessarego
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Botta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pesce
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Schito
mesh_terms: D000667:Ampicillin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000494:pharmacology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013407:Sulbactam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D000667:Ampicillin; D001618:beta-Lactamases; D013407:Sulbactam