Comparison between the combination of azlocillin-gentamicin and ampicillin-gentamicin in the treatment of a nursery population

Abstract

Newborn, and particularly premature infants are prone to life-threatening infections. The combination of ampicillin-gentamicin (AM-G) has been used extensively in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Because resistant bacteria emerged, a new drug--an acylureidopenicillin, azlocillin, with a wide antibacterial spectrum--has been developed. A prospective randomized study was performed in order to evaluate the combination of AM-G vs. azlocillin-gentamicin (AZ-G). Thirty neonates received AM-G and 28 received AZ-G. Definite infection was found in 15 AM-G patients and in 10 AZ-G patients. In these patients, the antibiotic regimen was changed in six of the AM-G and in one of the AZ-G patients. In each of the two treatment groups, one very-low-birth-weight baby died due to overwhelming sepsis. In vitro sensitivity to AZ-G was higher than to AM-G, according to azlocillin blood levels obtained. Infants weighting less than 2,350 g had lower clearance and volume of distribution than did infants weighing greater than 2,350 g. The serum half-life was approximately the same in both groups. It appears to be that in the NICU, the combination of AZ-G may be more effective than the AM-G combination.