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Ampicillin-chloramphenicol interaction against enteric Gram-negative organisms.
Pediatric Infectious Disease
|January 1, 1983
Summary
The combination of ampicillin and chloramphenicol can be synergistic or antagonistic against Gram-negative enteric bacteria. This interaction depends on whether chloramphenicol is bactericidal or bacteriostatic against the specific organism.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Salmonella osteomyelitis treatment can involve ampicillin and chloramphenicol.
- Varied patient responses necessitate understanding antibiotic interactions.
Observation:
- Ampicillin demonstrated bactericidal activity against all 21 tested enteric organisms.
- Chloramphenicol was bactericidal against 5 organisms and bacteriostatic against 16.
Findings:
- Antibiotic combination was antagonistic when chloramphenicol was bacteriostatic, increasing ampicillin's minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC).
- Combination was synergistic when chloramphenicol was bactericidal, lowering ampicillin's MBC.
Implications:
- The efficacy of ampicillin and chloramphenicol combination therapy is organism-dependent.
- Clinical outcomes may vary based on the specific Gram-negative enteric bacteria targeted.