IN-VITRO ACTIVITY OF BIAPENEM (L-627), A NEW CARBAPENEM, AGAINST ANAEROBES

We tested 441 clinical strains of anaerobes by using a broth microdilu tion method to determine the in vitro activity of biapenem for compari son with those of other agents. Biapenem had activity comparable to th ose of imipenem and meropenem against all groups of anaerobes with MIC s for 90% of the strains tested of 0.06 to 2 mug/ml. Against the Bacte roides fragilis group, biapenem was more active than ampicillin-sulbac tam, ticarcillin-clavulanate, piperacillin, cefoxitin, cefotaxime, and ceftriaxone. Biapenem was also active against all of the B. capillosu s, Prevotella, Clostridium, and Eubacterium strains and anaerobic cocc i tested. Against all of the anaerobes tested, biapenem was 32- and 4- fold more active than clindamycin and metronidazole, respectively. The se data indicate broad-spectrum activity by biapenem against anaerobes .