Interaction of cefotaxime and aminoglycosides against enterococci in vitro.

The antibacterial activities of cefotaxime, gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin as well as the combinations of cefotaxime and aminoglycosides were tested against 50 strains of enterococci. Synergy studies were performed by the time-kill method, and with this technique the combination of cefotaxime plus gentamicin appeared to be more active than the combination of cefotaxime plus tobramycin or cefotaxime plus amikacin. Results of this in vitro study suggest cefotaxime and gentamicin may provide some activity against enterococci, although not sufficient to substitute for proven therapy such as penicillin-ampicillin and gentamicin.