In vivo synergy between 6 beta-amidinopenicillanic acid derivatives and other antibiotics

Both an oral and a parenteral form of a 6beta-amidinopenicillanic acid derivative were found to have appreciable activity against gram-negative bacteria and poor activity against gram-positive bacteria in vivo. When administered orally or parenterally, definite synergy was demonstrated between the amidinopenicillins and ampicillin, amoxicillin, benzylpenicillin, cefazolin, or carbenicillin in infections with a number of gram-negative bacteria, including Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Proteus, Salmonella, and Haemophilus species in mice. Synergy was also observed between the parenteral amidinopenicillin and benzylpenicillin in the Staphylococcus aureus infection but not in infections with other gram-positive organisms. No synergy was demonstrated between the parenteral amidinopenicillin and erythromycin or oxytetracycline in infections with gram-positive or gram-negative organisms. Synergy between the parenteral amidinopenicillin and gentamicin was observed only in the case of Escherichia coli.