Influence of Furosemide Diuresis on Antimicrobial Treatment of Pyelonephritis Due to Escherichia coli

Abstract

The effects of colistin or ampicillin, in combination with furosemide-induced diuresis, on the renal titers of Escherichia coli after unilateral intramedullary inoculation of the bacteria into rats were determined. Therapy was started four days after inoculation and continued for seven days. Colistin therapy in either diuresing or nondiuresing rats significantly reduced renal titers of E. coli in both kidneys when compared with controls (rats receiving saline injections) or with those animals receiving only furosemide. There was no difference between titers in diuresing and nondiuresing rats receiving colistin. Renal titers of E. coli in rats receiving furosemide without colistin showed no significant differences in either kidney from those in control rats. Similar results were obtained with ampicillin therapy.