cefoxitin and Haemophilus-Infections

Topics: Bacterial Infections; Bacteroides Infections; Cefamandole; Cefazolin; Cefonicid; Cefoxitin; Cefuroxime; Cephalosporins; Gonorrhea; Haemophilus Infections; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Structure-Activity Relationship

beta-Lactamases have proved to be extremely important in influencing therapy with penicillins and cephalosporins against gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic species. Both plasmid mediated beta-lactamases which are primarily of a constitutive penicillinase type and the inducible chromosomal enzymes which are primarily cephalosporinases are important. The use of penicillins to treat Haemophilus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Salmonella, Shigella and Pseudomonas infections must be based upon the relative incidence of beta-lactamase producing strains. In the same manner cephalosporins can be used to treat infections due to Enterobacter, Serratia and Bacteroides only if the compounds are beta-lactamase stable and not good inducers of beta-lactamase activity. Although altered permeability is important in the resistance of some Pseudomonas and Enterobacter to beta-lactams, the resistance really is due to a combination of reduced entry of molecules and strategically placed beta-lactamases. It is only in some Streptococcus pneumoniae, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis strains that altered penicillin-binding proteins make a significant contribution to the resistance to beta-lactams. beta-lactamases will continue to be the most important factor in clinically significant resistance of bacteria to both penicillins and cephalosporins.

Topics: Bacillus cereus; Bacterial Infections; beta-Lactamases; Cefoxitin; Cell Membrane Permeability; Cephalosporins; Enzyme Induction; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Haemophilus Infections; Humans; Penicillins; Plasmids

Cefoxitin, a parenteral cephamycin beta-lactam antibiotic was prospectively evaluated as a single drug alternative in 31 children with cellulitis and the results of therapy were compared retrospectively with those from prevailing multiple antibiotic therapy for cellulitis in 56 children. Periorbital and lower extremity cellulitis accounted for more than 60% of the cases in both study groups. The most common bacterial agents included Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, and group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus. In as many as 50% of the cases, no etiologic agent could be found. In addition to blood cultures, cellulitis leading edge aspirate cultures were helpful in establishing the etiologic diagnosis. Of 52 patients sampled in the combined studies, 21% had positive aspirate cultures in the presence of negative blood cultures. The outcome and mean duration of hospital stay were similar in both groups. No severe adverse reactions were encountered. The mean number of antibiotics used in the retrospective study was three (range 1 to 7) whereas cefoxitin alone was used in the prospective study. All organisms isolated in the prospective study were susceptible to cefoxitin. Single antibiotic therapy with cefoxitin appears to be as safe and as effective in the treatment of cellulitis in children as multiple antibiotic therapy.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cefoxitin; Cellulitis; Child; Child, Preschool; Haemophilus Infections; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Infant; Male; Orbital Diseases; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Staphylococcal Infections; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus agalactiae

Cellulitis due to Haemophilus influenzae type B in adults has only recently been reported. We report a case in which the patient's antibody levels documented an immunologic response to the organism. The efficacy of a new cephalosporin antibiotic, cefoxitin sodium, in treating this infection also was established. Cefoxitin has activity against ampicillin-resistant H influenzae and would be an alternative in treating H influenzae cellulitis.

Topics: Adult; Cefoxitin; Cellulitis; Haemophilus Infections; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Male