title: Antibiotic efficacy against Vibrio vulnificus in the mouse: superiority of tetracycline.
abstract: Seven antimicrobial agents, all effective against Vibrio vulnificus in vitro, were compared for in vivo efficacy in mice experimentally infected with V. vulnificus strain B3547. Mice were injected s.c. with 1 X 10(8) cells, and i.p. injection of antimicrobials was begun 1.5 hr later when mice were bacteremic and had edematous lesions at the injection site. The study was done in two phases. Phase I was a dose-ranging experiment, using single injections within the range (on a body weight-adjusted basis) clinically useful in humans. Of 12 mice treated with tetracycline (4 mg/kg), 12 survived at 24 hr, compared to 0 of 21 saline-treated controls, 3 of 10 given ampicillin (32 mg/kg) and 2 of 3 given cefotaxime (20 mg/kg). There were no survivors at 24 hr in groups of 5 to 10 mice treated with cefazolin (32 mg/kg), carbenicillin (80 mg/kg), erythromycin (8 mg/kg) or gentamicin (8 mg/kg). Phase II was designed to simulate clinical conditions using multiple dosing for 30 hr and scoring for survival at 96 hr. Of 12 mice given tetracycline (3 mg/kg every 12 hr), 12 survived, compared to 1 of 10 given cefotaxime (20 mg/kg every 6 hr), 0 of 12 given carbenicillin (40 mg/kg every 6 hr) and 0 of 12 given saline every 6 hr. Tetracycline thus appears to be the agent of choice among those tested for in vivo efficacy against V. vulnificus in the mouse model.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014733:Vibrio / Q000187:drug effects; D014735:Vibrio Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013752:Tetracycline