ERYTHROMYCIN AND ALKALINISATION OF THE URINE IN THE TREATMENT OF URINARY-TRACT INFECTIONS DUE TO GRAM-NEGATIVE BACILLI

In an alkaline medium, the in-vitro Summary antibacterial activity of erythromycin is increased and its spectrum expanded. In an attempt to determine whether this in-vitro effect could be translated into a useful therapeutic effect in vivo, 37 patients with chronic bacteriuria were treated with erythromycin estolate and alkalinisation of the urine. The infecting gram-negative bacteria were eradicated in 73% of the patients during therapy, and urine cultures remained negative 3 weeks after treatment in 17 patients. In further follow-up, 14 of these 17 patients had negative urine cultures 2-6 months after treatment. Erythromycin and alkalinisation of the urine is suggested as an alternative therapy for selected patients with urinary-tract infections.