Study to Evaluate the Duration of Treatment With Ertapenem in Acute Attacks of Sigmoid Diverticulitis

Inclusion Criteria: * At least three of the following signs or symptoms of an acute attack of sigmoid diverticulitis must be present: \*Fever (body temperature \> 38°C, sublingual), \*Abdominal tenderness, \*Leukocytosis (leukocytes \> 10,000/µl) and left shift of the differential blood count (\>1% band forms), \*Elevated CRP (\> 20 mg/l) * Evidence of sigmoid diverticulitis by contrast enema * CT evidence of wall thickening in the sigmoid intestine * Decision in favor of conservative therapy on the basis of the case history and diagnosis Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindication for the use of the study medication or other beta-lactam antibiotics, e.g. patients with advanced renal impairment or patients requiring hemodialysis * Antibiotic therapy in the two weeks prior to the start of the study * Patients with an advanced incurable disease * Patients with a hematologic/oncologic disease (leukemia, lymphoma) * Patients on immunosuppressants * Complications of sigmoid diverticulitis leading to an immediate indication for surgery * Patients who have hypersensitivity to beta-lactam antibiotics * Female patients who are pregnant or nursing or who could become pregnant during the study * Participation in another clinical study or use of another study drug within the four weeks prior to enrollment in the study or use of another drug during the study * Each patient can be enrolled only once in the study