Objective: To study in vitro antibacterial activity of faropenem.Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) of faropenem

cefoperazone/sulbactam or cefotaxime against 194 clinical isolates was determined by agar dilution method.MIC50

MIC90 and the susceptible rate were counted.Results: MIC50 and MIC90 of faropenem were lower than or equal to 1μg/ml and 4μg/ml for all 194 clinical isolates respectively.All susceptible rates of faropenem were more than 90%.MIC90 of faropenem was similar to that of cefoperazone/sulbactam against beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli and klebsierlla peumoniae

but was 1/32 MIC90 of cefotaxime.MIC90 of three antibiotics was similar against Proteus spp

Moraxella catarrhalis and Streptococcus pneumoniae.MIC90 of faropenem was marked lower than that of cefoperazone/sulbactam or cefotaxime against Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis.Conclusion: Antibacterial activity of faropenem against clinical isolates is very strong and it is also strongly against beta-lactamase producing bacteria.It can be expected that faropenem will be used widely in clinic in china.