Abstract
Using broth micro dilution, we studied the susceptibility of 145 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae to meropenem (MEPM) and reference agents. All strains were isolated from the blood of patients admitted to Keio University Hospital between September 2002 and March 2003.
1. MEPM and other carbapenems showed excellent antibacterial activity against most blood culture isolates, except for drug-resistant staphylococci (MRSA and some S. epidermidis). A comparison of antibacterial activity of MEPM with that in previous studies showed no marked increase in MEPM-resistant clinical isolates.
2. MEPM differed microbiologically from imipenem, panipenem, and biapenem in its greater potency in vitro against most Gram-negative pathogens, including P. aeruginosa, and similar potency against many Grampositive pathogens. Resistance to MEPM in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa was lowest among the 4 carbapenems tested.
MEPM thus retains its potency as the agent of choice in treating serious infections.
