Biapenem versus imipenem in the treatment of experimental intraabdominal infections

A reproducible experimental model of intraabdominal infections in rats has been devised in order to simulate intraabdominal infections in patients. The experimental model was used to compare the efficacy of biapenem with imipenem. Three groups of animals were used, each group consisting of 20 animals. Antibacterial agents were given by injection initially 1 h after surgery and then at 12 h intervals for 12 days. The drugs and amounts of agents given per dose were biapenem 10 mg and imipenem 10 mg, respectively. The control group received 0.9% sterile saline. 80% of the untreated animals died within 3 days. Animals treated with biapenem or imipenem had a significantly decreased mortality and increased cure rates during the experimental period. Only two animals in the two treatment groups died. Biapenem seems to be useful in the treatment of intraabdominal infections.