Abstract
Summary: A model of overwhelming E. coli K1 sepsis and early meningitis was developed in infant rabbits and used to compare clinical and bacteriologic efficacy of ampicillin, moxalactam, cephalothin and chloramphenicol. Intraperitoneal injection of 107 E. coli K1 into 1-or 2-wk-old rabbits produced a rapidly progressive infection which, if left untreated, produced bacteremia in 100% of animals, meningitis in 78%, and mortality in 100%. Therapy was initiated 4 h after ip infection at which time mean bacterial concentration (log10 CFU/ml) ranged from 4.4-4.8 in the blood and from 1.8-2.3 in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Pre-treatment frequency of bacteremia (100%) and meningitis (17-23%) was similar for all experimental groups. Antibiotic concentrations in blood and CSF 2 h after a dose exceeded the E. coli minimum inhibitory concentration with the exception of CSF cephalothin, which was undetectable. Moxalactam, ampicillin, and chloramphenicol significantly reduced the incidence of bacteremia and meningitis relative to cephalothin or saline controls (P < 0.02). Mortality rates among the former three groups were high (64-82%) but significantly less than in saline or cephalothin-treated rabbits (100%). In this neonatal model of fulminant sepsis with early meningitis, moxalactam provided no therapeutic advantage over ampicillin or chloramphenicol.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Law, B., Rettig, P. & Marks, M. Antibiotic Therapy of Fulminant E. coli K1 Sepsis in Infant Rabbits. Pediatr Res 18, 314–317 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404000-00002
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404000-00002