Bactericidal effects of amoxycillin/clavulanic acid against Legionella pneumophila. 1989

D H Stokes, and B Slocombe, and R Sutherland
Beecham Pharmaceuticals Research Division, Surrey, UK.

The antibacterial activities of amoxycillin, clavulanic acid and the combination of both agents against Legionella spp. were compared in serial-dilution tests, time-kill curve studies and in turbidimetric studies in a continuous recording biophotometer. Both beta-lactam compounds showed high levels of activity against L. pneumophila in serial dilution tests, clavulanic acid (MIC 0.1-0.25 mg/l) being two-fold more active than amoxycillin. The combination of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid was more effective than either of the constituents and was two to four times more active than erythromycin. Clavulanic acid was shown to reduce the extent of inactivation of amoxycillin by L. pneumophila and amoxycillin/clavulanic acid was rapidly bactericidal against the organism in tests in which amoxycillin was ineffective. Microscopical examination showed distinctive morphological effects produced by amoxycillin and by clavulanic acid and synergy between the compounds could be attributed to beta-lactamase inhibition, or by binding to different penicillin binding proteins, or both. These results warrant further studies in vitro and in vivo to elaborate the bactericidal effects demonstrated by amoxycillin and clavulanic acid against Legionella spp.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007875 Legionella Gram-negative aerobic rods, isolated from surface water or thermally polluted lakes or streams. Member are pathogenic for man. Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent for LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE.
D008826 Microbial Sensitivity Tests Any tests that demonstrate the relative efficacy of different chemotherapeutic agents against specific microorganisms (i.e., bacteria, fungi, viruses). Bacterial Sensitivity Tests,Drug Sensitivity Assay, Microbial,Minimum Inhibitory Concentration,Antibacterial Susceptibility Breakpoint Determination,Antibiogram,Antimicrobial Susceptibility Breakpoint Determination,Bacterial Sensitivity Test,Breakpoint Determination, Antibacterial Susceptibility,Breakpoint Determination, Antimicrobial Susceptibility,Fungal Drug Sensitivity Tests,Fungus Drug Sensitivity Tests,Sensitivity Test, Bacterial,Sensitivity Tests, Bacterial,Test, Bacterial Sensitivity,Tests, Bacterial Sensitivity,Viral Drug Sensitivity Tests,Virus Drug Sensitivity Tests,Antibiograms,Concentration, Minimum Inhibitory,Concentrations, Minimum Inhibitory,Inhibitory Concentration, Minimum,Inhibitory Concentrations, Minimum,Microbial Sensitivity Test,Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations,Sensitivity Test, Microbial,Sensitivity Tests, Microbial,Test, Microbial Sensitivity,Tests, Microbial Sensitivity
D002969 Clavulanic Acids Acids, salts, and derivatives of clavulanic acid (C8H9O5N). They consist of those beta-lactam compounds that differ from penicillin in having the sulfur of the thiazolidine ring replaced by an oxygen. They have limited antibacterial action, but block bacterial beta-lactamase irreversibly, so that similar antibiotics are not broken down by the bacterial enzymes and therefore can exert their antibacterial effects. Acids, Clavulanic
D004338 Drug Combinations Single preparations containing two or more active agents, for the purpose of their concurrent administration as a fixed dose mixture. Drug Combination,Combination, Drug,Combinations, Drug
D000658 Amoxicillin A broad-spectrum semisynthetic antibiotic similar to AMPICILLIN except that its resistance to gastric acid permits higher serum levels with oral administration. Hydroxyampicillin,Actimoxi,Amoxicillin Anhydrous,Amoxicillin Monopotassium Salt,Amoxicillin Monosodium Salt,Amoxicillin Sodium,Amoxicillin Trihydrate,Amoxicillin, (R*)-Isomer,Amoxicilline,Amoxil,Amoxycillin,BRL-2333,Clamoxyl,Clamoxyl G.A.,Clamoxyl Parenteral,Penamox,Polymox,Trimox,Wymox,BRL 2333,BRL2333
D015169 Colony Count, Microbial Enumeration by direct count of viable, isolated bacterial, archaeal, or fungal CELLS or SPORES capable of growth on solid CULTURE MEDIA. The method is used routinely by environmental microbiologists for quantifying organisms in AIR; FOOD; and WATER; by clinicians for measuring patients' microbial load; and in antimicrobial drug testing. Agar Dilution Count,Colony-Forming Units Assay, Microbial,Fungal Count,Pour Plate Count,Spore Count,Spread Plate Count,Streak Plate Count,Colony Forming Units Assay, Microbial,Colony Forming Units Assays, Microbial,Agar Dilution Counts,Colony Counts, Microbial,Count, Agar Dilution,Count, Fungal,Count, Microbial Colony,Count, Pour Plate,Count, Spore,Count, Spread Plate,Count, Streak Plate,Counts, Agar Dilution,Counts, Fungal,Counts, Microbial Colony,Counts, Pour Plate,Counts, Spore,Counts, Spread Plate,Counts, Streak Plate,Dilution Count, Agar,Dilution Counts, Agar,Fungal Counts,Microbial Colony Count,Microbial Colony Counts,Pour Plate Counts,Spore Counts,Spread Plate Counts,Streak Plate Counts

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