In vivo and in vitro activity of ciprofloxacin plus azlocillin against 12 streptococcal isolates in a neutropenic site model.

Closed-space neutropenic infection sites were simulated in rabbits by subcutaneous semipermeable chambers that were inoculated with 5 X 10(4) CFU/ml of various strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus avium. Four hours after inoculation, treatment was begun with ciprofloxacin, 10 or 30 mg/kg, azlocillin, 100 mg/kg, amikacin, 15 mg/kg, procaine penicillin G, 300 U/dose, or gentamicin, 2 mg/kg, alone and in two-drug combinations. Antimicrobials were given intramuscularly every 6 hr for 16 doses. Extravascular chambers were sampled throughout the treatment course for bacterial counts and antimicrobial concentration. In vivo results were compared to in vitro tests of inhibition, killing, and synergism. Ciprofloxacin alone had little effect on the animal infection sites. Azlocillin alone reduced, in vivo, eight of 12 isolates greater than or equal to 5 log10 CFU/ml by 92 hr as compared to control. Azlocillin plus ciprofloxacin reduced all 12 isolates greater than or equal to 5 log10 CFU/ml by 92 hr, whereas amikacin plus azlocillin reduced only three and penicillin plus gentamicin only one of the six group D streptococcal isolates greater than or equal to 5 log10 CFU/ml.