The in-vitro activity of cefdinir (FK482), a new oral cephalosporin.

The in-vitro activity of cefdinir (FK482), an orally absorbed aminothiazolyl cephalosporin, was compared with that of cefuroxime, cefixime, cephalexin, cefaclor and co-amoxiclav. Cefdinir was highly active against Staphylococcus aureus, inhibiting 90% of strains at 0.03 mg/L. The respiratory pathogens Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis were also susceptible (MIC90 less than or equal to 1 mg/L). The common members of the Enterobacteriaceae were susceptible (MIC90 less than or equal to 1 mg/L), but those possessing chromosomal beta-lactamases were more resistant. Cefdinir appeared highly stable to the TEM-1 and SHV-1 beta-lactamases with only relatively minor degrees of hydrolysis being seen with TEM-3, -5 and -9.