The Journal of infectious diseases
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The in vivo efficacy of three cell wall-active antibiotics, imipenem, meropenem, and ceftazidime, was compared in mice rendered hypersusceptible to the pathophysiologic effects of lipopolysaccharide by treatment with D-galactosamine. When CF-1 mice were administered Escherichia coli, D-galactosamine, and saline intraperitoneally, an LD50 was achieved at an inoculum of approximately 2 x 10(4) cfu. ⋯ When the dose of antibiotic was decreased to 2 mg/kg, neither meropenem nor ceftazidime could provide measurable protection, whereas imipenem was almost fully protective (P < .002). These differences in protective efficacy were also noted with experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa but not Staphylococcus aureus infection.