Inhibition of bacterial regrowth in the puerperal uterine cavity by cefbuperazone

Abstract

The inhibition of bacterial regrowth by cefbuperazone (CBPZ), a beta-lactam, was investigated using bacteria identified in the puerperal uterine cavity. CBPZ was administered to four puerperae, and the effective regrowth time (ERT)—the time required to return to pretreatment bacterial count—was measured. Among aerobic gram-positive cocci, the ERT was 9.0 hours for Streptococcus agalactiae. Among aerobic gram-negative bacilli, ERT values were 11.3 and 18.0 hours for Escherichia coli in two patients. Among anaerobic gram-positive bacteria, ERT values were 7.5 and 10.5 hours for Peptostreptococcus magnus in the same two patients. Among anaerobic gram-negative bacteria, ERT values were 12.0 and 9.0 hours for Bacteroides fragilis and Prevotella bivia, respectively. The ERT values obtained in this study may be a useful index for the selection of chemotherapeutic agents and dosage regimens for the treatment of infectious diseases in obstetrics and gynecology. Because some CBPZ-sensitive bacteria showed ERT of 8 hours, CBPZ would be more effective against infections with CBPZ-sensitive bacteria when administered three times daily. Using the puerperal uterine cavity may be the best way to evaluate the inhibition of bacterial regrowth of other antibiotics as well.