Therapeutic efficacy of meropenem for treatment of experimental penicillin-resistant pneumococcal meningitis

J Korean Med Sci. 2004 Feb;19(1):21-6. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2004.19.1.21.

Abstract

With the widespread emergence of antimicrobial resistance, combination regimens of ceftriaxone and vancomycin (C+V) or ceftriaxone and rifampin (C+R) are recommended for empirical treatment of pneumococcal meningitis. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of meropenem (M), we compared various treatment regimens in a rabbit model of meningitis caused by penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP). Therapeutic efficacy was also evaluated by the final bacterial concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at 24 hr. Each group consisted of six rabbits. C+V cleared the CSF at 10 hr, but regrowth was noted in 3 rabbits at 24 hr. Meropenem monotherapy resulted in sterilization at 10 hr, but regrowth was observed in all 6 rabbits at 24 hr. M+V also resulted in sterilization at 10 hr, but regrowth was observed in 2 rabbits at 24 hr. M+V was superior to the meropenem monotherapy at 24 hr (reduction of 4.8 vs. 1.8 log10 cfu/mL, respectively; p=0.003). The therapeutic efficacy of M+V was comparable to that of C+V (reduction of 4.8 vs. 4.0 log10 cfu/mL, respectively; p=0.054). The meropenem monotherapy may not be a suitable choice for PRSP meningitis, while combination of meropenem and vancomycin could be a possible alternative in the treatment of PRSP meningitis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Pneumococcal / drug therapy*
  • Meropenem
  • Penicillins / pharmacology*
  • Rabbits
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Thienamycins / pharmacology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Penicillins
  • Thienamycins
  • Meropenem