Effectiveness of Ampicillin and Ceftriaxone Against Certain Enterococci
Author Information
Author(s): García-González Javier, Cañas María A., Cuervo Guillermo, Hernández-Meneses Marta, Verdejo Miguel A., Bodro Marta, Díez de los Ríos Javier, Gasch Oriol, Ribera Alba, Falces Carles, Perissinotti Andrés, Vidal Bárbara, Quintana Eduard, Moreno Asunción, Piquet Maria, Roca Ignasi, Fernández-Pittol Mariana, San José-Villar Sol M., García-de-la-Mària Cristina, Miró José M.
Primary Institution: Hospital Clínic, Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona—Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, University of Barcelona
Hypothesis
The in vitro susceptibility to ampicillin could be a good predictor of double beta-lactam synergism, offering a less toxic therapeutic alternative for patients with infective endocarditis caused by unusual enterococcal species.
Conclusion
Ampicillin plus ceftriaxone is effective for treating infective endocarditis caused by E. durans and E. hirae, but not recommended for E. casseliflavus and E. raffinosus.
Supporting Evidence
- Ampicillin plus gentamicin showed synergistic and bactericidal activity against most isolates.
- Ampicillin plus ceftriaxone was effective for E. durans and E. hirae but not for E. casseliflavus and E. raffinosus.
- Clinical outcomes for E. casseliflavus and E. raffinosus infections were suboptimal.
Takeaway
This study looked at how well two antibiotics work together against certain germs that can cause heart infections. It found that they work well for some germs but not for others.
Methodology
Time-kill curves were performed to test the in vitro activity of ampicillin plus ceftriaxone against various enterococcal isolates, alongside a narrative literature review of clinical cases.
Limitations
The sample size for most species was limited, and the study was confined to in vitro testing without animal model validation.
Participant Demographics
The study included seven clinical isolates from patients diagnosed with infective endocarditis or other endovascular infections.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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