In vitro activity of new beta-lactam antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs against anaerobic isolates from obstetric and gynecological infections.

The in vitro activities of N-formimidoyl thienamycin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, metronidazole, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, cefoxitin, moxalactam, penicillin G, and piperacillin were determined against 158 anaerobic bacteria isolated from endometrial wash cultures of women with pelvic infections. In general, N-formimidoyl thienamycin was the most active, with all organisms inhibited by less than or equal to 0.5 microgram/ml. Chloramphenicol, clindamycin, and metronidazole inhibited all organisms by less than or equal to 8 microgram/ml. The penicillins and cephalosporins exhibited variable activity of lesser degrees.