Comparative efficacy of different beta-lactam antibiotics and gentamicin in Klebsiella pneumoniae septicaemia in neutropenic mice.

The in-vivo activity of ceftazidime, cefotetan, imipenem/cilastatin, piperacillin and gentamicin against two strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae was evaluated in a model of experimental septicaemia in neuropenic mice. Single agent therapy with the aminoglycoside was highly effective against both strains. Among the beta-lactams, ceftazidime and cefotetan were nearly as active as gentamicin, whereas imipenem/cilastatin was slightly less effective, and the results achieved with piperacillin were markedly inferior.