Comparative in vitro and in vivo activity of temocillin (BRL 17421) and ampicillin against Haemophilus influenzae type b.

A total of 42 strains of Haemophilus influenzae type b isolated from pediatric patients were sensitive in vitro to temocillin (90% minimal inhibitory concentration = 0.25 microgram/ml). No difference in mean minimal inhibitory concentration between beta-lactamase producer (0.25 microgram/ml) and nonproducer (0.23 microgram/ml) strains was found. Various dosages of ampicillin or temocillin for the treatment of infant rats with ampicillin-resistant H. influenzae bacteremia and meningitis yielded no difference in cure rates. These results suggest that temocillin may not be as effective as other new cephalosporins for the treatment of H. influenzae type b infections.