Synergistic activity of astromicin and beta-lactam antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro and in vivo.

Synergistic activity of astromicin and an antipseudomonal beta-lactam antibiotic such as piperacillin, cefsulodin or carbenicillin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Synergy in vitro was observed more often when astromicin was combined with piperacillin or cefsulodin than when it was combined with carbenicillin. The combination of astromicin with piperacillin showed a bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a bacteriostatic concentration of each antibiotic alone. The synergy observed in vitro was reproduced against experimental mouse infections, and the astromicin-piperacillin or cefsulodin combination produced significantly greater protective effects than the single use of individual antibiotics.