cefuzonam and Hematologic-Diseases

Cefuzonam (CZON) was used to treat severe infections in 151 patients with hematopoietic disorders, and its efficacy and safety were assessed. The drug was given in doses of 2.0 to 6.0 g a day, divided into 2 or 3, intravenously by injection or infusion. The clinical effects were excellent in 34 cases, good in 40 cases, fair in 5 cases, and poor in 57 cases. Therefore, the results were excellent or good in 54.4% of the patients treated. The efficacy rates were 43.8 and 35.9% for groups of patients whose neutrophil counts were 500/microliters or less and 100/microliters or less, respectively. It was excellent or good in 70.6% of patients in whom causative agents were identified, and in 66.7 and 80.0% of patients infected with Gram-negative and -positive bacilli, respectively. The efficacy rate for patients infected with unidentified agents was 52.1%. The rate for patients who had received other antibiotics previously was 41.5%. The rate for patients having received only one antibiotic for the preceding treatment was 50.0%. Six (3.9%) of the treated patients experienced adverse effects including changes in laboratory test results observed in 4.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Ceftizoxime; Child; Female; Hematologic Diseases; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neutrophils

Cefuzonam (CZON) which has a broad spectrum on both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated in severe infections associated with hematological disorders. Sixty five patients were treated with CZON. Among them, 56 patients were evaluable for effectiveness. Nine patients were not evaluable because 3 patients were treated with combination of other antibiotics such as ceftizoxime, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, 1 patient was subjected to additional therapy of G-CSF and gamma-globulin, 4 were the patients with other disease than hematologic disorder (3 malignant mesotheliomas, 1 ovarian cancer), and the remaining one was prophylactically treated. Excellent responses were observed in 21 (37.5%) patients, good responses in 11 (19.6%) patients, with an overall efficacy rate of 57.1%. The efficacy rate in septic patients was 80% (4/5), and that in patient whose peripheral granulocytes were continuously below 100/microliters was 60% (3/5). Three patients who suffered from malignant mesothelioma, one patient who suffered from ovarian cancer, one patient who was treated prophylactically were included in the final evaluation of side effects. Side effects were observed in 2 patients (2/61, 3.3%). In a patient of 7 years, mild liver disfunction (GOT/GPT, 46/55) was found in 10 days after CZON treatment was started. In a patient of 65 years, mild appetite loss was identified in 2 days after CZON administration was begun. The liver disfunction was improved soon after the cessation of the treatment. The mild appetite loss disappeared while the treatment was continued. These results showed that CZON was an effective and safe antibiotic for the treatment of severe infections in patients with hematological disorders.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Ceftizoxime; Child; Female; Hematologic Diseases; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Leukemia; Male; Middle Aged