Efficacy of dactimicin in the treatment of experimentally induced intra-abdominal infections.

A reproducible experimental model of intra-abdominal infections in rats has been worked out in order to simulate intra-abdominal sepsis in patients. A 1-cm segment of ileum was isolated on its vascular pedicle. The intestine was then divided at each end of the segment and intestinal continuity was reestablished by an end-to-end anastomosis. Dactimicin is a new aminoglycoside antibiotic and has a broad antibacterial spectrum including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic bacteria. The experimental model was used to compare the efficacy of dactimicin alone and in combination with metronidazole with the combination gentamicin and metronidazole in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections. Many of the untreated animals (70%) died within 2 days. Within 7 days 40% of the animals receiving dactimicin died. Animals treated with dactimicin plus metronidazole or gentamicin plus metronidazole had a significantly decreased mortality and increased cure rates during the experimental period. Only 5% of these animals died. Thus the combination dactimicin and metronidazole seems to be useful in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections.