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Eagle effect in Corynebacterium diphtheriae
Lucia Grandière-Pérez1, Cedric Jacqueline, Virginie Lemabecque
1Laboratoire d'Antibiologie, Faculte de Medecine, Nantes, France. lucia.perez@infonie.fr
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|May 18, 2005
Summary
The paradoxical bactericidal effect, or Eagle effect, of amoxicillin was confirmed in vivo. Lower amoxicillin doses were more effective than higher doses against Corynebacterium diphtheriae in a rabbit endocarditis model.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The in vivo significance of the paradoxical bactericidal effect, known as the Eagle effect, remains unclear.
- This study investigates the Eagle effect of amoxicillin on Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vivo relevance of the paradoxical bactericidal effect of amoxicillin.
- To determine the efficacy of different amoxicillin dosages in a rabbit model of endocarditis caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
Main Methods:
- In vitro testing demonstrated a paradoxical bactericidal effect of amoxicillin on two strains of nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
- An experimental rabbit model of endocarditis was used to assess in vivo efficacy.
- Rabbits received no treatment, continuous amoxicillin infusion at 200 mg/kg/day, or 20 mg/kg/day.
Main Results:
- The lower dosage of amoxicillin (20 mg/kg/day) was significantly more effective than the higher dosage (200 mg/kg/day) in treating endocarditis caused by both strains.
- These findings confirmed the paradoxical bactericidal effect observed in vitro within the in vivo model.
Conclusions:
- The paradoxical bactericidal effect of amoxicillin is relevant in vivo.
- Lower amoxicillin dosages may be more efficacious for treating Corynebacterium diphtheriae endocarditis, challenging conventional high-dose treatment paradigms.