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Antibiotic levels in empyemic pleural fluid.

Authors :
Teixeira LR
Sasse SA
Villarino MA
Nguyen T
Mulligan ME
Light RW
Source :
Chest [Chest] 2000 Jun; Vol. 117 (6), pp. 1734-9.
Publication Year :
2000

Abstract

Objective: To determine the degree to which bioactive penicillin, metronidazole, ceftriaxone, clindamycin, vancomycin, and gentamicin penetrate into empyemic pleural fluid using our new rabbit model of empyema.<br />Methods: An empyema was created via the intrapleural injection of 10(8)()Pasteurella multocida bacteria into the pleural space of New Zealand white rabbits. After an empyema was verified by thoracentesis and pleural fluid analysis, penicillin, 24,000 U/kg; metronidazole, 37 mg/kg; ceftriaxone, 30 mg/kg; clindamycin, 9 mg/kg; vancomycin, 15 mg/kg; or gentamicin, 1 mg/kg, were administered IV. Antibiotic levels in samples of pleural fluid and serum, collected serially for up to 480 min, were then determined using a bioassay.<br />Results: The degree to which the different antibiotics penetrated into the infected pleural space was highly variable. Penicillin penetrated most easily, followed by metronidazole, ceftriaxone, clindamycin, vancomycin, and gentamicin. Of the antibiotics tested, penicillin and metronidazole equilibrated the most rapidly with the infected pleural fluid. Penicillin levels remained elevated in pleural fluid even after serum levels had decreased.<br />Conclusions: Using this rabbit model of empyema, there was marked variation in the penetration of antibiotics into the empyemic fluid. Although there are species differences between rabbit and human pleura, the variance in degree of penetration of antibiotics into the pleural space should be considered when antibiotics are selected for the treatment of patients with empyema.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0012-3692
Volume :
117
Issue :
6
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Chest
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
10858410
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.117.6.1734