IN VITRO AND IN VIVO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF CARUMONAM

Abstract

The in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of carumonam (CRMN) against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinical isolates was studied in comparison with that of aztreonam and cefotaxime. CRMN showed potent antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, particularly strains of Enterobacteriaceae. It also inhibited strains of Pseudomonas at low concentrations, but showed less activity against Gram-positive bacteria. It was highly resistant to hydrolysis by both chromosomal and plasmid-mediated β-lactamases. On the other hand, the 50% effective dose (ED₅₀) in experimental murine mice infections was 0.098 mg/kg against Escherichia coli ML4707, 2.64 mg/kg against Serratia marcescens GN7577 and 0.43mg/kg against Klebsiella pneumoniae GN6445.