[Effect of imipenem/cilastatin sodium in thirty cases of bone and joint infection]

Thirty cases of bone and joint infections were treated by a chemotherapy with imipenem/cilastatin sodium (MK-0787/MK-0791). An overall curative rate was 87%. It was 96% in cases of acute inflammatory state and 50% in cases of chronic state. Thirteen cases received surgical intervention with chemotherapy and showed complete healing, but curative rate of 16 cases without surgery was 76%. Twenty strains of microorganisms were isolated and identified from these patients. The MIC of MK-0787 against S. aureus was as small as less than or equal to 0.012 to 0.024 micrograms/ml to a 10(6)/ml suspension. Thus antibacterial action of MK-0787 was very strong. The MIC against E. coli was 0.20 micrograms/ml. Incidence of adverse reactions was small as only in two cases occurred slight nausea. Laboratory examinations of blood, liver and kidney function found no influence of the drug.