Apalcillin [PC-904]: spectrum of activity and beta-lactamase hydrolysis/inhibition.

Apalcillin is a Pseudomonas-active penicillin with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity similar to that of piperacillin, except for the greater potency of apalcillin against Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Studies with 846 isolates representative of the common bacterial pathogens compared apalcillin to piperacillin, azlocillin, mezlocillin, carbenicillin, ticarcillin, cefotaxime, and cefoperazone. Apalcillin and piperacillin were both active against all 13 species of the Enterobacteriaceae that were tested (MIC 50s less than or equal to 8.0 micrograms/ml) but some strains were resistant to both penicillins. Apalcillin was active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. (MIC 50 less than 2.0 micrograms/ml). Like other penicillins, apalcillin was not effective against beta-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus spp., Haemophilus spp. or Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Rates of hydrolysis by six beta-lactamase preparations from gram-negative bacilli were determined, comparing apalcillin, piperacillin, azlocillin, ticarcillin, ampicillin and dicloxacillin to benzyl penicillin. Apalcillin and ticarcillin were more resistant than piperacillin and azlocillin to hydrolysis by the PSE-2 enzyme from P. aeruginosa. As did many other penicillins, apalcillin inhibited the Type 1 beta-lactamase that is produced by Enterobacter cloacae. The other enzymes were inhibitory only in very high concentrations.