title: Tissue penetration of Meropenem in patients undergoing gynecologic surgery.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the tissue-penetrating ability of a new beta-lactam antibiotic, meropenem, in 64 patients undergoing elective gynecologic surgery. Patients received a single 500-mg dose intravenously before surgery. Plasma and tissue concentrations of meropenem were highest at approximately 1 hour, and good tissue penetration was seen in the variety of specimens evaluated. The median plasma concentration at approximately 1 hour was 13.3 micrograms/mL. The median fluid and tissue concentrations at approximately 1 hour were as follows: cervix, 8.5 micrograms/g; endometrium, 2.3 micrograms/g; fallopian tube, 1.9 micrograms/g; myometrium, 3.6 micrograms/g; ovary, 2.3 micrograms/g; and uterus, 2.3 micrograms/g. These tissue concentrations exceed the MICs of meropenem for 90% of typical pathogens associated with gynecologic infections. Meropenem readily penetrates gynecologic tissue. A single 500-mg dose provides adequate tissue concentrations for treatment of gynecologic infections caused by susceptible pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Louisville College of Medicine, Kentucky 40202, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gall
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hemsell
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pitkin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis / Q000187:drug effects; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D000077731:Meropenem; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D009215:Myometrium / Q000378:metabolism; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D010462:Peptostreptococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D010949:Plasma / Q000378:metabolism; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000187:drug effects; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013845:Thienamycins; D000077731:Meropenem