title: Comparison of imipenem/cilastatin with the combination of aztreonam and clindamycin in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections.
abstract: The clinical safety and efficacy of imipenem/cilastatin in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections was compared with the combination of aztreonam and clindamycin in a randomized prospective trial. The severity of illness was determined by means of the Apache II score and a fixed outcome reporting scheme was used. One hundred and four patients were entered into the study, of whom 80 were evaluable. Forty-two patients were treated with imipenem/cilastatin (500 + 500 mg qds) and 38 with aztreonam (600 tds) and clindamycin (1000 mg tds). The study groups were comparable for age and sex. The imipenem/cilastatin group differed from the aztreonam and clindamycin group in having significantly more patients with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (P < 0.01) and a significantly lower mean Apache score (P < 0.05). The predominate microorganisms isolated in both groups were Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis. Treatment with imipenem/cilastatin proved successful in 71% and failed in 24%, and initial success only was seen in 5%. The numbers in the group treated with aztreonam and clindamycin were 64%, 29% and 7% respectively. Severity of illness, as measured by Apache II score, had no influence on the study outcome. Imipenem/cilastatin as well as the combination of aztreonam and clindamycin were effective in the treatment of abdominal infections and no major adverse reactions were seen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Leyenburg Municipal Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: de Groot
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hustinx
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Lampe
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Oosterwijk
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001398:Aztreonam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D015377:Cilastatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077728:Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015378:Imipenem / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011292:Premedication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D015377:Cilastatin; D002981:Clindamycin; D015378:Imipenem; D000077728:Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination; D001398:Aztreonam