Penicillin and netilmicin in treatment of experimental enterococcal endocarditis.

Abstract

Successful therapy of enterococcal endocarditis requires the use of a combination of penicillin plus an aminoglycoside. The effectiveness of penicillin (Pen), streptomycin (Str), and netilmicin (Net), a new aminoglycoside, alone and in combination, were studied in vitro and in the treatment of left-sided enterococcal endocarditis in rabbits. In vitro Pen+Str or Net resulted in a more rapid and more complete bactericidal effect than Pen, Str, or Net alone against a Str-susceptible strain of enterococcus (strain 1). Against a highly Str-resistant strain (strain 2), Pen+Net showed an advantage over Pen, Str, or Net alone, or Pen+Str. Endocarditis was produced in rabbits with strain 1 or 2, and treatment was initiated 24 h later. Rabbits were treated for 48 h or 5 days with procaine Pen, Pen+Str, or Pen+Net. With strain 1, numbers of enterococci in the vegetations decreased more rapidly with Pen+Str or Pen+Net treatment than with Pen, Str, or Net alone. With strain 2, Pen+Net showed a clear advantage over Pen, Str, Net, or Pen+Str. Net in combination with Pen showed synergistic in vitro activity and was more effective than Pen alone in the treatment of enterococcal endocarditis in rabbits caused by both Str-susceptible and Str-resistant strains.

• Authors: J Carrizosa, D Kaye
• Journal: Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy (Antimicrob Agents Chemother) Vol. 13 Issue 3 Pg. 505-8 (Mar 1978) ISSN: 0066-4804 [Print] United States
• PMID: 122526 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Penicillins
• Netilmicin
• Streptomycin

Topics

• Animals
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Endocarditis, Bacterial (drug therapy)
• Enterobacteriaceae Infections (drug therapy)
• Enterococcus faecalis (drug effects)
• Female
• Netilmicin (therapeutic use)
• Penicillin Resistance
• Penicillins (therapeutic use)
• Rabbits
• Streptococcal Infections (drug therapy)
• Streptomycin (therapeutic use)