Inhibition of beta-lactamase-induced resistance in soft-tissue infections
R. L. Nichols, J. W. Smith, M. F. Adinolfi, R. Galli and L. M. Vivoda
Sulbactam ([CP45,899] penicillanic acid sulfone) inhibits many of the
beta-lactamases commonly found to be the cause of penicillin resistance.
This agent was combined with either penicillin G potassium or ampicillin
sodium in the treatment of 97 patients admitted with serious soft-tissue
infections. Fifty-one of the infections were caused by at least one
bacteria resistant to the antibiotic alone. Staphylococcus aureus was the
most common pathogen (48 isolations) followed by the coliforms (30
isolations). Ninety percent of the isolates that were tested produced
beta-lactamase. Susceptibility studies showed a high degree of resistance
to the penicillin alone that was significantly lowered by the addition of
sulbactam. The overall clinical results showed 81% of the infections to be
either well controlled or cured. Three patients failed to show improvement.
Thirteen patients showed transitory increases relatively safe and
efficacious in the treatment of soft-tissue infection caused by
penicillin-resistant and penicillin-susceptible organisms.
