Co-trimoxazole versus nafcillin in the therapy of experimental meningitis due to Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Co-trimoxazole was compared with nafcillin against Staphycococcus aureus in vitro and in the therapy of experimental Staph. aureus meningitis in rabbits. Co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim: sulphamethoxazole in a 1 : 20 ratio) was synergistic against 22/24 strains of Staph. aureus in vitro. The MBC₉₀ of co-trimoxazole and nafcillin were 0.156–3.12 mg/l and 0.25 mg/1, respectively, concentrations below those achievable in purulent cerebrospinal fluid. The rate of bacterial killing (Staph. aureus) by co-trimoxazole and nafcillin were similar in both broth and pooled CSF in vitro: However, the MBC increased and the rate of bactericidal activity of both agents declined when tested in CSF at a higher inoculum (10⁷ cfu/ml). During continuous intravenous infusion therapy of a reproducible, uniformly fatal (if untreated) model of experimental Staph. aureus meningitis, serum concentrations of all agents closely approximated those found in humans receiving standard parenteral regimens. The mean percent penetration into CSF ([CSF]/[serum] × 100) was 2.9, 35.6 and 27.1% for nafcillin, trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole, respectively. Although both nafcillin and co-trimoxazole therapy reduced CSF Staph. aureus concentrations significantly more rapidly (Pin vivo (PStaph. aureus.