Cefoxitin: synergism with aminoglycosides in vitro.

In vitro synergistic effect of cefoxitin with aminoglycosides such as gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin and dibekacin against 15 Escherichia coli, 15 Staphylococcus aureus and 105 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains of fresh clinical isolates was examined. The combination of cefoxitin with the aminoglycosides showed distinct synergy against many strains of P. aeruginosa which were highly resistant to cefoxitin alone, while it failed in synergism against E. coli and S. aureus. A possible mechanism of in vitro synergy between cefoxitin and aminoglycosides against P. aeruginosa was discussed.