In vitro studies of investigational beta-lactams as possible therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa endocarditis.

The inadequacy of the present medical therapy of Pseudomonas aeruginosa endocarditis prompted an investigation of the in vitro activities of aztreonam, cefsulodin, and imipenem compared with that of ticarcillin against 37 strains of P. aeruginosa isolated from patients with endocarditis. Inhibitory and bactericidal activities were studied for each beta-lactam alone and in combination with tobramycin. All agents showed excellent inhibitory activity. Imipenem was the most inhibitory beta-lactam yet lacked inhibitory synergy against 95% of the strains and bactericidal synergy against 62%. Tolerance to imipenem was seen in six strains. Aztreonam alone was bactericidal against 46% of the strains (at 16 micrograms/ml) and showed bactericidal synergy in 70%. Cefsulodin alone was even less active but similar to aztreonam synergistically. Ticarcillin and tobramycin inhibited all strains as single agents and showed universal bactericidal synergy in combination. None of the new beta-lactams showed consistent superiority to the presently used agent, ticarcillin.