title: Efficacy of amoxycillin/clavulanic acid in experimental Bacteroides fragilis/Escherichia coli mixed infections.
abstract: The efficacy of amoxycillin/clavulanic acid was compared with those of metronidazole, cefuroxime, metronidazole/ampicillin, metronidazole/gentamicin and metronidazole/cefuroxime, in experimental mixed infections produced in mice by subcutaneous inoculation of amoxycillin-resistant strains of Bacteroides fragilis and Escherichia coli. The combination of metronidazole/ampicillin failed to inhibit the growth of E. coli, and exerted only a transient effect on the numbers of Bact. fragilis in the groin abscesses. In contrast, amoxycillin/clavulanic acid prevented the development of the infection, eliminating both organisms. Metronidazole and cefuroxime, alone and in combination, were less effective than amoxycillin/clavulanic acid in inhibiting the growth of the infecting organisms. These results demonstrate the clinical potential of amoxycillin/clavulanic acid in prophylaxis, or in the therapy of mixed aerobe/anaerobe infections.
authors.affiliation: Beecham Pharmaceuticals Research Division, Betchworth, Surrey, UK.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Beale
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gisby
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sutherland
mesh_terms: D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001442:Bacteroides Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002444:Cefuroxime / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005839:Gentamicins; D008795:Metronidazole; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000667:Ampicillin; D000658:Amoxicillin; D002444:Cefuroxime