Laboratory and clinical studies of biapenem

Abstract

The antimicrobial activities of biapenem (BIPM) against major pathogenic bacteria of respiratory tract infections were investigated and compared to those of other antibiotics. Six cases with respiratory tract infections were treated with BIPM and clinical efficacy and safety of the drug were evaluated.
1) In vitro activities (MICs) of BIPM against Staphylococcus aureus (both MSSA and MRSA) and Streptococcus pneumoniae were similar to those of imipenem (IPM) and superior to those of piperacillin (PIPC) and ceftazidime (CAZ). MICs of BIPM against gram-negative bacterial sp. were also excellent except Haemophilus influenzae, and MIC₉₀ of BIPM against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 16μg/ml.
2) Clinical efficacy of BIPM in 6 cases with respiratory tract infections, was evaluated as excellent in 1 patient, good in 4 patients and fair in 1 patient. No clinical side effect wasobserved.
3) Slight decrease of peripheral, white blood cell count was observed in one case after start of the treatment, but it was transit and recovered to normal range immediately after the end of the treatment.
According to above, BIPM was considered to be one of useful drugs in the treatment of respiratory tract infections, like as IPM/cilastatin and CAZ.