Cotrimoxazole (Synonyms: TMP-SMX, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole)

Cotrimoxazole is a mixture of the antibiotics sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim .^1,2 It is bactericidal against 12 patient-derived community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains when used at a concentration of 0.05 mg/L.² Cotrimoxazole (240 mg/kg) prevents lung and spleen bacterial colonization in a mouse model of inhaled B. mallei infection, but does not eradicate infection when administered post B. mallei exposure in the same model.³ It also resolves cutaneous tail lesions in a mouse model of S. xylosus infection.⁴ Formulations containing cotrimoxazole have been used in the treatment of MRSA infections and the prevention of glanders disease in human and veterinary medicine, respectively.

1.Lewis, E.L., Anderson, J.D., and Lacey, R.W.A reappraisal of the antibacterial action of cotrimoxazole in vitroJ. Clin. Pathol.27(2)87-91(1974) 2.Kaka, A.S., Rueda, A.M., Shelburne, S.A., III, et al.Bactericidal activity of orally available agents against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusJ. Antimicrob. Chemother.58(3)680-683(2006) 3.Barnes, K.B., Steward, J., Thwaite, J.E., et al.Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) prophylaxis is effective against acute murine inhalational melioidosis and glandersInt. J. Antimicrob. Agents41(6)552-557(2013) 4.Thornton, V.B., Davis, J.A., St. Clair, M.B., et al.Inoculation of Staphylococcus xylosus in SJL/J mice to determine pathogenicityContemp. Top. Lab. Anim. Sci.42(4)49-52(2003)