In-vitro activity of FCE 22101 against respiratory tract pathogens with reference to production of beta-lactamases.

FCE 22101 is a new penem with broad antibacterial spectrum, excluding the pseudomonads, and has stability to many beta-lactamases. FCE 22101 and imipenem were very potent against the bacteria studied, including beta-lactamase producing strains, which can be isolated from patients with respiratory tract infections (MIC less than or equal to 8 mg/l). No strains were found to be resistant to FCE 22101. FCE 22101 was rapidly bactericidal and more stable to inactivation by beta-lactamases from Branhamella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae than imipenem and ceftibuten. The other antibiotics tested varied in their activities against the respiratory tract pathogens.