In-vitro killing activity of combinations of beta-lactam agents with aminoglycosides against penicillin-resistant pneumococci.
Streptococcus pneumoniae has developed resistance to almost every antibacterial agent used in clinical practice, including the most active beta-lactams. This has led to the proposed use of drug combinations. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of combinations of beta-lactam agents (cefotaxime or imipenem) with aminoglycosides (gentamicin, netilmicin or amikacin) against pneumococci showing high-level resistance to penicillin and streptomycin and/or kanamycin. All tested combinations were bactericidal and synergic despite the weak concentrations of antibiotics used. Our results suggest that combinations of beta-lactam agents with aminoglycosides may be useful for treating infections by penicillin-resistant pneumococci located outside the central nervous system.
Schlegel
L
L
Centre National de Référence des Pneumocoques, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal, Créteil, France.
Sissia
G
G
Fremaux
A
A
Geslin
P
P
D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002648:Child; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000382:microbiology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects*; D047090:beta-Lactams
D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams