CARBENICILLIN EFFECTIVE AGAINST ANAEROBES

Results from 21 patients with serious infections involving anaerobic bacteria suggest that carbenicillin may be an effective antibiotic, particularly against Bacteroides fragilis. In 8 cases multiple anaerobes were involved, in 10 facultative anaerobes, and in 10 B. fragilis. Thirty of 31 anaerobic bacteria isolated were inhibited by 64pg or less of carbenicillin, and one resistan.t B. fragilis required 256pg/ml.

Patients were given 300 to 450mg/kg doses intravenously every 24 hours for 5 to 22 days. Fourteen patients also received kanamycin 7.5mg/kg intramuscularly every 12 hours, or gentamicin 1 to 1.6mg/kg IM every 8 hours, but only 3 of the 14 required continuation of this treatment with the aminoglycoside antibiotic for more than 4 days. In addition to antibiotic therapy, 15 patients need6d some form of surgical drainage. One patient developed a maculopapular rash attributed to carbenicillin.

In the 5 peritonitis cases the response was good 3, fair 1, poor 1; in 2 hepatic abscess good 1, fair 1; in 4 endomyo­metritis excellent 2, good 1, fair 1; in 4 salpingitis excellent 2, good 2; in 4 cellulitis excellent 2, good 1, fair 1; and in 2 wound infections excellent 1, fair 1.

Swenson, R.M. and Lorber, B.: Antimocrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 9: 1025 (Jun 1976)

I NPHARMA 1Oth July, 1976 p11