Abstract
Using 214 clinical strains of 9 bacterial species, the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of meropenem (MEPM), a new carbapenem antibiotic, were determined and compared with the corresponding MIC values of imipenem/cilastatin (IPM/CS), ceftazidime (CAZ) and carumonam (CRMN). The in vitro antibacterial activity of MEPM was slightly lower than that of IPM agianst Staphylococcus aureus but higher than that of IPM, CAZ or CRMN against gram-negative bacilli.
In a clinical investigation, MEPM was administered to 3 patients with respiratory tract infection (2 males and 1 female, aged 42-62 years) in doses of 0.5 g twice a day for 7-14 days. The total dose ranged from 6.5 to 14g. The clinical response was good in all cases. No side effects were observed, but the abnormal laboratory finding of slight elevations of GOT and GPT was noted in 1 case.
