Comparative Effect of Thiamphenicol Glycinate, Thiamphenicol Glycinate N-Acetylcysteinate, Amoxicillin plus Clavulanic Acid, Ceftriaxone and Clarithromycin on Pulmonary Clearance of Haemophilus influenzae in an Animal Model

Abstract

Background: Thiamphenicol glycinate (TG) and its derivative thiamphenicol glycinate N-acetylcysteinate (TGA) could be a valid therapeutic option in the treatment of respiratory tract infections. Methods: Time-kill curves of TG and TGA and pulmonary clearance in Haemophilus influenzae infected guinea pigs were compared with those of clarithromycin, ceftriaxone and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid. Results: The bacterial activities of the tested antibiotics were comparable. When compared to the control group, lung bacterial counts were significantly lower for the TGA group at 3 h vs. controls, while for the other treatments, significant decreases were recorded after 6 h. All drugs showed a log count of <2.0 at 24 h with respect to the control while at 48 h all groups demonstrated a log count of <2.0. Conclusions: Although the in vitro activity of the tested drugs evaluated by time-kill curves seemed comparable, some pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of TGA contribute to improving the resolution of the infective process.