Combination therapy with ampicillin and azithromycin improved outcomes in a mouse model of group B streptococcal sepsis.

Background: Evidence suggests that β-lactam monotherapy of streptococcal infections may incite stronger inflammation and is inferior to combination therapy with macrolides. We hypothesized that use of macrolides alone or in combination with a β-lactam for group B streptococcal (GBS) sepsis would improve outcomes by reducing inflammation.

Methods: TNF-α was measured from supernatants of RAW 264.