[Evaluation of the biliary passage of beta-lactam antibiotics].

The present study is devoted to the biliary excretion of some beta-lactam antibiotics (6 derived from the penicillin group: Penicillin G, Ampicillin, Metampicillin, Carbenicillin, Mezlocillin, Apalcillin and 9 from the cephalosporin group: Cephalothin, Cephaloridine, Cephacetrile, Cefalexin, Cefazolin, Cefamandole, Cefuroxime, Cefaclor and Ceftizoxime). The biliary excretion of these antibiotics was assessed by 4 different procedures: 1) experimental study of their biliary elimination by a perfused isolated rabbit liver; 2) in humans, by evaluation of their passage: a) in aspirated duodenal fluid, b) in bile collected by external biliary drainage, c) and in bile obtained by puncture of the main bile duct and the gall bladder during surgery. The results of these different investigations were concordant and showed that the biliary excretion of Metampicillin, Apalcillin and Mezlocillin was definitely higher than that of the other studied beta-lactams; on account of their suitable antibacterial spectrum, these 3 derivatives should be used in preference for the treatment of biliary infection.