cefsulodin and Lymphoma

A combination of cefmenoxime (CMX) and cefsulodin (CFS) which has a broad spectrum on various bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated for severe infections associated with hematological malignancies. Seventy one patients were treated with the combination therapy. Among them, 57 patients were evaluable for the effectiveness. Fourteen patients were not evaluable because 10 patients were subjected to additional therapy such as gamma-globulin, interferon, radiation and pulse therapy of a large dose of methylprednisolone, 3 were prophylactically treated and the remaining one was a patient with disseminated bone marrow metastasis of prostatic cancer and not a patient with a hematologic malignancy. Excellent responses were obtained in 24 (42.1%) patients and good response in 12 (21.1%) patients, with a total rate of effectiveness of 63.2%. Three patients who were treated prophylactically and one patient who suffered from prostatic cancer with metastasis to bone marrow, were included in the final evaluation of side effects. Side effects were observed in only one patient (1/61, 1.6%). Mild neutropenia was identified in a patient of 78 years of age in 4 days after the combined regimen was started. Neutropenia disappeared soon after the cessation of the treatment. These results showed that a combination of CMX and CFS was an effective and safe regimen for the treatment of severe infections in patients with hematological disorders.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bacterial Infections; Cefmenoxime; Cefsulodin; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Hematologic Diseases; Humans; Leukemia; Lymphoma; Male; Middle Aged

Infected patients with hematological disorders were treated with the combination of cefmenoxime (CMX) and cefsulodin (CFS). This therapy was done on 74 patients, of whom 38 (51%) had acute myelocytic leukemia, 14 (19%) malignant lymphoma, 7 (9%) acute lymphocytic leukemia, 5 aplastic anemia, 4 adult T cell leukemia, 4 chronic myelocytic leukemia, 1 multiple myeloma and 1 histiocytic medullary reticulosis. Complicated infections included 5 cases of septicemia, 41 cases of suspected septicemia, 19 cases of respiratory tract infection, 2 with anal abscess, 1 with urinary tract infection and others. The obtained results were as follows: Clinical effectiveness of the combination therapy was excellent in 17 cases (23.0%), good in 24 (32.4%) and poor in 33 (44.6%). Total clinical efficacy rate was 55.4%. Clinical efficacy rate was 40% against septicemias, 51.2% against suspected septicemias and 57.9% against respiratory tract infections. Causative pathogens were isolated in only 21 cases (28.4%): Gram-positive bacteria in 9 cases, Gram-negative bacteria in 11 and fungus in 1. About half of the Gram-negative bacteria belonged to Pseudomonas sp. The efficacy rate of this combination therapy against Gram-negative bacterial infections was 72.7% but the rate against Gram-positive bacterial infections were only 33.3%. Only in 1 case, this combination therapy was discontinued because of drug eruption. Abnormal laboratory findings were observed in 5 cases: Elevation of BUN in 3, GOT and GPT in 1 and prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time in 1. In conclusion, this combination therapy of CMX and CFS is useful and safe against infections complicated by hematological disorders.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anemia, Aplastic; Bacterial Infections; Cefmenoxime; Cefotaxime; Cefsulodin; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Hematologic Diseases; Humans; Leukemia, Lymphoid; Leukemia, Myeloid; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Lymphoma; Male; Middle Aged; T-Lymphocytes