Imipenem/cilastatin treatment of bacterial meningitis in children

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1991 Feb;10(2):122-5. doi: 10.1097/00006454-199102000-00009.

Abstract

The safety and efficacy of imipenem/cilastatin were evaluated in 21 children, ages 3 to 48 months, with bacterial meningitis. Eradication of bacteria from the cerebrospinal fluid was demonstrated within 24 hours of antibiotic therapy in all but 2 patients who had Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis and ultimately achieved bacteriologic cure after 2 to 3 days of imipenem/cilastatin therapy. Cerebrospinal fluid penetrations of imipenem and cilastatin were determined at various times after drug administration with mean cerebrospinal fluid: serum ratios of 14 and 10% for imipenem and cilastatin, respectively. The study was terminated when 7 (33%) patients developed seizure activity after antibiotic therapy was administered. The usefulness of imipenem/cilastatin for the treatment of bacterial meningitis in children may be limited by a possible increased incidence of drug-related seizure activity.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacterial Infections / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cilastatin / adverse effects
  • Cilastatin / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cilastatin / therapeutic use*
  • Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imipenem / adverse effects
  • Imipenem / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Imipenem / therapeutic use*
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Meningitis / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Meningitis / drug therapy*
  • Meningitis, Haemophilus / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Meningitis, Haemophilus / drug therapy
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Meningitis, Meningococcal / drug therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seizures / chemically induced

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • Cilastatin
  • Imipenem
  • Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination