Short-course treatment of bacteremia with ceftriaxone monotherapy

The efficacy of short-course ceftriaxone monotherapy in treatment of bacteremia was evaluated in an open protocol. Patients with laboratory-proven bacteremia were randomly treated with one of three dosing schedules for a duration of 5 to 7 days. Fifty-seven (62%) out of the 92 evaluable infections had successful results. Successful responses were seen in 20 (59%) out of 34 infections given 4 g every 24 hours, 15 (54%) out of 28 given 2 g every 12 hours, and 22 out (73%) of 30 given 2 g every 24 hours. The results showed no significant differences. The cases evaluated as failures were largely due to infections with resistant organisms or inadequate drainage of the primary infectious foci. Forty-nine (94%) of the 52 infections had successful results with one of the short-course treatment regimens, provided that they had no factors indicative of a poor prognosis. We stress the importance of anti-microbial susceptibility and adequate removal of the primary foci in the treatment of bacteremia. Our experience indicates that once-daily administrations of 2 g ceftriaxone as monotherapy is preferred for short-course treatment of bacteremia since it is equally effective, but more economical than higher dose regimens.