Mechanism of Action Amoxicillin binds to penicillin-binding proteins within the bacterial cell wall and inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis. Clavulanic acid is a beta-lactam, structurally related to penicillin, that may inactivate certain beta-lactamase enzymes.
Mechanism of Resistance Resistance to penicillins may be mediated by destruction of the beta-lactam ring by a beta-lactamase, altered affinity of penicillin for target, or decreased penetration of the antimicrobial drug to reach the target site. Amoxicillin alone is susceptible to degradation by beta-lactamases, and therefore its spectrum of activity does not include bacteria that produce these enzymes.
Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid has been shown to be active against most isolates of the following microorganisms, both in vitro and in clinical infections as described in the section ( ).
INDICATIONS AND USAGE1
Gram-positive bacteria:
(including isolates with penicillin MICs ≤ 2 mcg/mL)
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Gram-negative bacteria:
(including beta-lactamase–producing isolates)
Haemophilus influenzae
(including beta-lactamase–producing isolates)
Moraxella catarrhalis
The following data are available, but their clinical significance is unknown.
in vitro
At least 90% of the following microorganisms exhibit in vitro minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) less than or equal to the susceptible breakpoint for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. However, the safety and efficacy of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in treating infections due to these microorganisms have not been established in adequate and well-controlled trials.
Gram-positive bacteria:
(including beta-lactamase–producing isolates)
Staphylococcus aureus
Streptococcus pyogenes
When available, the clinical microbiology laboratory should provide cumulative results of in vitro susceptibility test results for antimicrobial drugs used in local hospitals and practice areas to the physician as periodic reports that describe the susceptibility profile of nosocomial and community-acquired pathogens. These reports should aid the physician in selecting the most effective antimicrobial.
Susceptibility Test Methods:
Quantitative methods are used to determine antimicrobial minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). These MICs provide estimates of the susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobial compounds. The MICs should be determined using a standard test method (broth for and ). The recommended dilution pattern utilizes a constant amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium ratio of 2 to 1 in all tubes with varying amounts of amoxicillin. MICs are expressed in terms of the amoxicillin concentration in the presence of clavulanic acid at a constant 2 parts amoxicillin to 1 part clavulanic acid. The MIC values should be interpreted according to criteria provided in Table 3.
Dilution Technique:1,2S. pneumoniaeH. influenzae
Quantitative methods that require measurement of zone diameters also provides reproducible estimates of the susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobial compounds. The zone size should be determined using a standardized test method . This procedure uses paper disks impregnated with 30 mcg amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium (20 mcg amoxicillin plus 10 mcg clavulanate potassium) to test susceptibility of microorganisms to amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium. Disk diffusion zone sizes should be interpreted according to criteria provided in Table 3.
Diffusion Technique:2,3
Table 3. Susceptibility Test Result Interpretive Criteria for Amoxicillin/Clavulanate PotassiumPathogen | Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (mcg/mL)
| | Disk Diffusion (Zone Diameter in mm) |
Pathogen | S | I | R | S | I | R |
(non-meningitis isolates)
Streptococcus pneumoniae
| ≤ 2/1 | 4/2 | ≥ 8/4 | Not applicable (NA) |
Haemophilus influenzae | ≤ 4/2 | NA | ≥ 8/4 | ≥ 20 | NA | ≤ 19 |
S=Susceptible, I=Intermediate, R=Resistant
Susceptibility of should be determined using a 1-mcg oxacillin disk. For nonmeningitis isolates, a penicillin MIC of ≤0.06 mcg/mL (or oxacillin zone ≥ 20 mm) can predict susceptibility to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid . Beta-lactamase-negative, ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR) isolates should be considered resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid despite apparent in vitro susceptibility of some BLNAR isolates to these agents.
NOTE:S. pneumoniae
NOTE:2
NOTE:H. influenzae
A report of “Susceptible” (S) indicates that the antimicrobial drug is likely to inhibit growth of the microorganism if the antimicrobial drug reaches the concentration usually achievable at the site of infection. A report of “Intermediate” (I) indicates that the result should be considered equivocal, and if the microorganism is not fully susceptible to alternative, clinically feasible antimicrobials, the test should be repeated. This category implies possible clinical applicability in body sites where the drug is physiologically concentrated or in situations where high doses of antimicrobial can be used. This category also provides a buffer zone that prevents small uncontrolled technical factors from causing major discrepancies in interpretation. A report of “Resistant” (R) indicates that the antimicrobial is not likely to inhibit growth of the pathogen if the antimicrobial drug reaches the concentration usually achievable at the infection site; other therapy should be selected.
Standardized susceptibility test procedures require the use of laboratory controls to monitor and ensure the accuracy and precision of supplies and reagents used in the assay, and the techniques of the individuals performing the test. Standard amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium powder should provide the following range of MIC noted in Table 4. For the disk diffusion technique using the 30 mcg amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium disk, the criteria in Table 4 should be achieved.
Quality Control:1,3
Table 4. Acceptable Quality Control Ranges for Amoxicillin/Clavulanate PotassiumQuality Control Organism | Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (mcg/mL) | Disk Diffusion (Zone Diameter Range in mm) |
Escherichia faecalis ATCC 29212
® ATCC = American Type Culture Collection | 0.25/0.12 to 1/0.5 | N/A |
Escherichia coli ATCC® 25922 | 2/1 to 8/4 | 18 to 24 |
Escherichia coli ATCC® 35218
QC strain recommended when testing beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitors .
2 ,This strain may lose its plasmid and develop susceptibility to beta-lactam antimicrobial agents after repeated transfers onto culture media. Minimize by removing new culture from storage at least monthly or whenever the strain begins to show decreased MICs to ampicillin, piperacillin, or ticarcillin .
2 | 4/2 to 16/8 | 17 to 22 |
Haemophilus influenzae ATCC 49247 | 2/1 to 16/8 | 15 to 23 |
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 25923 | NA | 28 to 36 |
Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 29213 | 0.12/0.06 to 0.5/0.25 | NA |
Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC 49619 | 0.03/0.015 to 0.12/0.06 | NA |