[Microbiological evaluation of differences between cephalosporins of second and third generations in general...

The aim of the current investigation was to evaluate practical impact of modern NCCLS recommendations for the selection of 2nd and 3rd generation cephalosporins in Moscow teaching multi profile hospital. The sensitivity of clinically significant 96 strains from patients with pyelonephritis and 180 strains from patients with lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia, COPD) was compared for cefuroxime and cefotaxime or ceftriaxone according NCCLS recommendations during 2000-2001 years. At the lower respiratory tract infection total sensitivity of all pathogens was 70.6% and 72.8%, at the pyelonephritis 71.9% and 76.0% for 2nd and 3rd generations respectively. The differences between cephalosporins were not statistically significant. Based on the application of modern NCCLS recommendations in the routine microbiological practice similar clinical efficacy of 2nd and 3rd generations cephalosporin in lower respiratory tract infections and pyelonephritis could be predicted.