title: Comparative evaluation of the diffusion of tobramycin and cefotaxime out of antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads.
abstract: Both tobramycin and cefotaxime diffuse from antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads in quantities sufficient to inhibit the growth of bacteria on agar lawns or in broth cultures over a 28-day period. Extraction of antibiotic from tobramycin or cefotaxime-impregnated PMMA beads revealed that substantial amounts of both antibiotics remained within the beads despite 28 days of diffusion. Diffusion of antibiotic from the PMMA beads during the initial 3-5 days is much greater than occurs for the remainder of the 4-week period. The results of the study suggest that perhaps tobramycin of cefotaxime-impregnated PMMA beads would produce local levels of antibiotic high enough to sterilize a given dead space for a period of 28 days.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550-2772.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cierny
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Mader
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004058:Diffusion; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D007709:Klebsiella / Q000187:drug effects; D008768:Methylmethacrylates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors; D014031:Tobramycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D002439:Cefotaxime; D014031:Tobramycin