In vitro antibacterial activity of thiamphenicol glycinate acetylcysteinate against respiratory pathogens

After 30 years of therapeutic use, thiamphenicol glycinate acetylcysteinate (CAS 20192-91-0) is still widely employed in the treatment of upper and lo wer respiratory tract infections. This is due to its particular characteris tic to exert at pulmonary level, either the antibacterial activity of thiam phenicol (CAS 15318-45-3) and the mucolytic activity of N-acetylcysteine (C AS 616-91-1). The aim of this study was to evaluate the present pattern of susceptibility of several clinical isolates to thiamphenicol and the interf erence of N-acetylcysteine on this parameter. The studies have been perform ed In vitro. Equimolar concentrations of N-acetylcysteine and even higher c oncentrations did not interfere with the antibacterial activity of thiamphe nicol against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Haemophi lus influenzae. The spectrum of activity of thiamphenicol was similar to th at observed in the past and was superior to that of erythromycin and amoxic illin. The activity of thiamphenicol was greater than that of erythromycin against H. influenzae and streptococci and equivalent versus Branhamella ca tarrhalis. In comparison with amoxicillin the activity of thiamphenicol was higher against H. influenzae and B, catarrhalis and slightly lower against streptococci. The results demonstrate that thiamphenicol maintains its the rapeutic Value confirming the importance of thiamphenicol glycinate acetylc ysteinate in the treatment of respiratory tract infections.