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Establishing the Minimal Bactericidal Concentration of an Antimicrobial Agent for Planktonic Cells (MBC-P) and Biofilm Cells (MBC-B)
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In vitro activities of meropenem and other antimicrobial agents against British meningococcal isolates

F J Abadi1, D E Yakubu, T H Pennington

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Aberdeen Medical School, Aberdeen, UK.

Chemotherapy
|July 8, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Meropenem demonstrates high in vitro activity against Neisseria meningitidis isolates. This finding supports further evaluation of meropenem for treating bacterial meningitis and as a meningococcal prophylactic agent.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis is a significant cause of bacterial meningitis.
  • Emerging antibiotic resistance in meningococcal isolates necessitates ongoing surveillance and the development of new therapeutic agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro activity of meropenem against British Neisseria meningitidis isolates.
  • To compare meropenem's efficacy with other common antibiotics.

Main Methods:

  • Microdilution method in Mueller-Hinton broth.
  • E test for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
  • Tested 121 British meningococcal isolates.

Main Results:

  • Meropenem exhibited high in vitro activity against all tested Neisseria meningitidis strains.
  • Susceptibility rates varied for other antibiotics: ampicillin (88.4%), penicillin (88.4%), sulphadiazine (57.9%), and rifampicin (95%).

Conclusions:

  • Meropenem shows significant potential as a therapeutic agent for bacterial meningitis.
  • Further clinical and bacteriological evaluation of meropenem for meningococcal prophylaxis and treatment is warranted.

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