title: Prospective, randomised, multicentre study of meropenem versus imipenem/cilastatin as empiric monotherapy in severe nosocomial infections.
abstract: The clinical and bacteriological efficacy and the tolerability of meropenem versus imipenem/cilastatin (both 1 g t.i.d.) in severe nosocomial infections were compared in a multicentre, randomised, nonblinded study. A total of 151 patients were recruited; 133 (66 meropenem, 67 imipenem/cilastatin) were clinically evaluable and 84 (42 meropenem, 42 imipenem/cilastatin) bacteriologically evaluable. Most clinically evaluable patients (90%) were in intensive care units, required mechanical ventilation (72%), and had received previous antibiotic therapy (62%). The mean (+/- SD) APACHE II score was 15.2 (+/- 6.6) in the meropenem group and 17.8 (+/- 6.8) in the imipenem/cilastatin group. The primary infections were nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections (56% of patients), intra-abdominal infections (15%), septicaemia (21%), skin/skin structure infections (5%), and complicated urinary tract infections (3%); 35% of the patients had two or more infections. There was no significant difference between the meropenem and imipenem/cilastatin groups in the rates of satisfactory clinical (weighted percentage 87% vs. 74%) or bacteriological (weighted percentage 79% vs. 71%) response. There was a slightly higher rate of clinical success with meropenem against primary or secondary lower respiratory tract infection (89% vs. 76%). Drug-related adverse events occurred in 17% and 15% of meropenem and imipenem/cilastatin patients, respectively. Meropenem (1 g t.i.d.) was as efficacious as the same dose of imipenem/cilastatin in this setting, and both drugs were well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Hospital Mútua de Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garau
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blanquer
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cobo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Corcia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daguerre
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: de Latorre
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: León
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Del Nogal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Net
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rello
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015780:Carbapenems / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015377:Cilastatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077728:Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015378:Imipenem / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D000077731:Meropenem; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015780:Carbapenems; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013845:Thienamycins; D015377:Cilastatin; D015378:Imipenem; D000077728:Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination; D000077731:Meropenem