ABSTRACT
Ceftazidime and cefamandole were compared in a randomized multicentre trial in hospitalized patients with pneumonia. Of 290 patients enrolled, 92 patients in the ceftazidime group and 71 patients in the cefamandole group were evaluable. Geometric mean MICs of organisms isolated and tested to ceftazidime were within achievable therapeutic serum concentrations of ceftazidime. Satisfactory clinical responses were observed in 91% (84/92) of ceftazidime-treated patients and 83% (59/71) of cefamandole-treated patients (P greater than 0.05). Superinfection occurred in one (1%) ceftazidime-treated patient and in five (7%) cefamandole-treated patients. Side effects were infrequent with either treatment. Ceftazidime is as safe and effective as cefamandole for the treatment of pneumonia due to a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens.
Subject(s)
Cefamandole/therapeutic use , Ceftazidime/therapeutic use , Pneumonia/drug therapy , Adult , Aged , Bacteria/drug effects , Cefamandole/adverse effects , Cefamandole/pharmacology , Ceftazidime/adverse effects , Ceftazidime/pharmacology , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Middle Aged , Pneumonia/etiology , Pneumonia/microbiologyABSTRACT
Ceftazidime and cefamandole were compared in the treatment of pneumonia. The median MIC of ceftazidime for all Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 17) and Haemophilus influenzae (n = 10) isolates was 0.125 microgram/ml. All other isolates were inhibited by less than 0.5 microgram of ceftazidime per ml, with the exception of a group B streptococcus (MIC = 4 micrograms/ml). Satisfactory clinical responses were observed in 91% (20 of 22) of cefamandole-treated patients and 85% (17 of 20) of ceftazidime-treated patients.
