Therapeutic effect of meropenem on an experimental guinea pig model of meningitis with type b β-lactamase-nonproducing ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between efficacy and percentage of time above the MIC (%T>MIC) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for different dosing regimens of meropenem against an experimental lethal meningitis model in guinea pigs with type b β-lactamase-nonproducing ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae (Hib BLNAR). Guinea pigs were intrathecally inoculated with 10(8) CFU/head of Hib BLNAR 8 h before the start of therapy. A single dose of 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg meropenem or multiple doses of 40 mg/kg meropenem were subcutaneously administered.