This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Greene, G. R. Articles by Wehrle, P. F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Greene, G. R. Articles by Wehrle, P. F.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1979 August; 16(2): 198-202
Copyright © 1979, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Ampicillin Dosage in Bacterial Meningitis with Special Reference to Haemophilus influenzae

G. R. Greene, G. D. Overturf and P. F. Wehrle

Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, and Communicable Disease Service, Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90033

ABSTRACT

Ampicillin remains the preferred drug for most cases of bacterial meningitis, including those due to Haemophilus influenzae type b. A prospective study was performed comparing high (400 mg/kg per day)- and low (150 mg/kg per day)-dosage regimens of ampicillin in the treatment of 172 patients with bacterial meningitis. Response to both regimens was equivalent in terms of average hospital stay, duration of ampicillin therapy, microbiological response, and death and residua. Patients with H. influenzae infections treated with low-dosage regimens had slightly prolonged febrile courses. This study suggests that high-dosage regimens of ampicillin offer no benefit over low-dosage regimens in the treatment of bacterial meningitis.

---

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1979 August; 16(2): 198-202
Copyright © 1979, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.