title: In vitro activity of eight oral cephalosporins against Borrelia burgdorferi.
abstract: Oral cephalosporins have not previously been extensively tested against larger numbers of Borrelia burgdorferi isolates derived from different clinical and geographical sources. This study investigated the in vitro activity of eight oral cephalosporins in addition to ceftriaxone and apramycin, against 17 isolates of the B. burgdorferi complex, including one B. valaisiana and one B. bissettii tick isolate. Minimal inhibitory concentrations and minimal borreliacidal concentrations providing 100% killing of the final inoculum were determined by a standardised methodology in Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly-medium after 72 h of incubation. The rank order of potency was ceftriaxone>cefuroxime-axetil>cefixime, cefdinir>cefpodoxime>cefaclor >ceftibuten, loracarbef>cefetamet-pivoxil, apramycin. Our study demonstrates the superior in vitro effectiveness of ceftriaxone with good to excellent activity with the oral agents cefuroxime-axetil, cefixime and cefdinir against B. burgdorferi under strictly standardised test conditions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital of Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Street 40, D-60596 Frankfurt/Main, Germany. k.hunfeld@em.uni-frankfurt.de
authors.forename: Klaus-Peter
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Hunfeld
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rödel
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Wichelhaus
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000187:drug effects*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins