Coverage of Enterococci in Community Acquired Secondary Peritonitis: Results of a Randomized Trial

Introduction: The increasing number of enterococcal infections in hospitals and reports about the development of resistance of these bacteria make it necessary to review their importance as copathogens in secondary peritonitis. Materials and Methods : A prospective randomized controlled trial on primary therapy of secondary peritonitis was carried out in six centers comparing cephalosporin-based antibiotic therapy to acylaminopenicillin-based therapy. Results : Enterococci were only cultured in 6 of 110 cases from the abdomen and were found in only 5 cases of postoperative complications. No differences were found between penicillin-based vs. cephalosporin-based therapy. Conclusion : The study supports the view that these bacteria continue to play a minor role in secondary peritonitis. The point has to be emphasized, however, that the patients under study were in relatively good condition (APACHE II median 9 for cephalosporins and 10 for penicillins) and that postoperative cases of peritonitis were excluded.