Action of clindamycin-phosphate in foreign body infections due to Staphylococcus epidermidis in mice.

The virulence of Staphylococcus epidermidis strain slime producer was examined in an experimental model of foreign body infection in mice. In the course of this experimental infection the mice were injected with two antibiotics (clindamycin and cefazolin) active in vitro toward the Staphylococcus strain used. The results obtained after a week of antibiotic therapy show that clindamycin alone has a therapeutic action against the infection caused by S. epidermidis. Cefazolin showed a very poor therapeutic effect. The results are discussed on the basis of inflammatory reaction elicited from the foreign body and the characteristics of clindamycin in connection with the host's defense mechanisms.