Efficacy of amoxycillin/clavulanic acid in experimental Bacteroides fragilis/Escherichia coli mixed infections

Abstract

The efficacy of amoxycillin/clavulanic acid was compared with those of metronidazole, cefuroxime, metronidazole/ampicillin, metronidazole/gentamicin and metronidazole/cefuroxime, in experimental mixed infections produced in mice by subcutaneous inoculation of amoxycillin-resistant strains of Bacteroides fragilis and Escherichia coli. The combination of metronidazole/ampicillin failed to inhibit the growth of E. coli, and exerted only a transient effect on the numbers of Bact. fragilis in the groin abscesses. In contrast, amoxycillin/clavulanic acid prevented the development of the infection, eliminating both organisms. Metronidazole and cefuroxime, alone and in combination, were less effective than amoxycillin/clavulanic acid in inhibiting the growth of the infecting organisms. These results demonstrate the clinical potential of amoxycillin/clavulanic acid in prophylaxis, or in the therapy of mixed aerobe/anaerobe infections.