[Experimental study of optimal dose interval in antibiotic therapy].

A postantibiotic effect (PAE) was demonstrated for various antibiotics which suppressed bacterial regrowth for at least two hours beyond the termination of a short drug exposure in vitro. Rifampin, tetracycline and erythromycin already exhibit a PAE at low concentrations. In contrast, in the case of beta-lactams high concentrations - higher than those obtained in serum during oral treatment - were needed to demonstrate a PAE of these antibiotics in vitro. The PAE phenomenon may be of clinical importance with regard to dosage regimens in antimicrobial chemotherapy.