In vitro activity against aerobic and anaerobic gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and beta-lactamase stability of RS-533, a novel carbapenem.

RS-533 is a novel carbapenem antibiotic. Its activity was compared with that of imipenem and the new cephalosporins, aztreonam, piperacillin, and tobramycin. RS-533 had activity comparable to that of imipenem, inhibiting the majority of the Enterobacteriaceae, streptococci, staphylococci, and Bacteroides species at concentrations of less than or equal to 2 micrograms/ml. RS-533 inhibited Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter freundii, and Serratia marcescens resistant to ceftazidime, aztreonam, and cefoperazone, but RS-533 did not inhibit all methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas maltophilia. It inhibited tobramycin-resistant members of the Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. RS-533 was stable against attack by common chromosomal and plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases and was an effective inhibitor of many beta-lactamases.