Moxalactam therapy for neonatal meningitis due to gram-negative enteric bacilli. A prospective controlled evaluation
G. H. McCracken Jr, N. Threlkeld, S. Mize, C. J. Baker, S. L. Kaplan, I. Faingezicht, W. E. Feldman and U. Schaad
Moxalactam and ampicillin sodium therapy were compared with amikacin
sulfate and ampicillin therapy for meningitis due to gram-negative enteric
bacilli in 63 infants enrolled in the Third Neonatal Meningitis Cooperative
Study. The population characteristics and causative organisms were
comparable for the two treatment groups. Cultures of CSF were positive for
approximately three days in both study groups. Case-fatality rates were 23%
and 15% for moxalactam-treated infants and ampicillin- and amikacin-treated
infants, respectively. Developmental or neurological abnormalities were
found in about 40% of survivors, and the rates were comparable for both
treatment groups. Computed tomograms in 44 infants were interpreted as
normal in 13 (30%); hydrocephalus, abscesses, and low-density areas were
the most frequent abnormalities. We conclude that moxalactam is a suitable
alternative for treatment of meningitis due to gram-negative enteric
bacilli.
