Related Experiment Videos
[Activity of cefuroxime against bacterial strains isolated from acute otitis media]
M Simonet1, J L Herrmann, M Veron
1Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris.
Abstract:
The acute otitis media is a frequent infantile disease and, in 80% of cases, a bacterial strain can be isolated from the otorrhoea. Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae are the two major species isolated from auricular exudate, and represent two thirds of all isolated strains, with the others comprising Staphylococcus aureus, Branhamella catarrhalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae and corynebacteria. The treatment of this disease is based principally on beta-lactams (aminopenicillins, cephalosporins) administered by the oral route. Cefuroxime is a cephalosporin which is absorbed via the digestive tract in the form of cefuroxim-axetil. The activity of this compound was studied against 210 strains isolated from otorrhoea, collected from children who presented an acute otitis media during the first half of 1989. These strains were: 112 strains of H. influenzae, of which 23 produced a beta-lactamase; 21 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae; 3 strains of Streptococcus pyogenes; 10 strains of Branhamella catarrhalis of which 9 produced a beta-lactamase; 18 strains of S. aureus; 14 strains of Enterobacteriaceae, and 32 strains of corynebacteria. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of cefuroxime-axetil was measured by dilution in agar. The MICs of cefuroxime against H. influenzae were low and similar (MIC 50 = 1 mg/l; MIC 90 = 1 mg/l) regardless of whether the strain secreted a beta-lactamase. Overall, 90% and 98% of the 210 strains tested here were inhibited by 1 and 4 mg/l of cefuroxime respectively. These results show that the antibacterial spectrum of cefuroxime-axetil appears to be ideally suited to the bacterial strains isolated from acute otitis media.
Insights
Cefuroxime-axetil effectively inhibits common bacteria causing acute otitis media in children, including beta-lactamase producing strains. This study demonstrates its broad antibacterial spectrum against key pathogens like Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Acute otitis media (AOM) is a common childhood infection, frequently caused by bacterial pathogens.
- Commonly isolated bacteria include Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, often necessitating antibiotic treatment.
- Beta-lactam antibiotics, such as cephalosporins, are primary treatments for AOM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro activity of cefuroxime-axetil against bacterial strains isolated from pediatric AOM cases.
- To determine the efficacy of cefuroxime-axetil against both beta-lactamase positive and negative strains of key pathogens.
Main Methods:
- A collection of 210 bacterial strains from pediatric AOM otorrhoea was tested.
- Bacterial species included Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Branhamella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacteriaceae, and corynebacteria.
- Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cefuroxime-axetil were determined using agar dilution methods.
Main Results:
- Cefuroxime-axetil demonstrated low MICs against Haemophilus influenzae, irrespective of beta-lactamase production (MIC50 = 1 mg/l; MIC90 = 1 mg/l).
- Overall, 90% and 98% of the tested strains were inhibited by 1 mg/l and 4 mg/l of cefuroxime, respectively.
- The compound showed significant activity against a broad range of AOM-associated bacteria.
Conclusions:
- Cefuroxime-axetil possesses a suitable antibacterial spectrum for treating AOM caused by prevalent bacterial isolates.
- Its effectiveness against beta-lactamase producing strains is particularly noteworthy for clinical application.