[General toxic and organotropic properties of cefotaxime in acute and chronic experiments]

The action of cefotaxime on the functions of the liver and kidneys, the peripheral blood count, growth and development of young animals, blood circulation, respiration and the central nervous system was studied in acute and chronic experiments on mice and rats. Allergenic, immunomodulating, embryotoxic and teratogenic properties of the antibiotic were also studied. Cefotaxime was shown to be low toxic. After intravenous administration to mice, its LD50 amounted to 7000 (6295-7805) mg/kg. In the chronic experiments on rats with intramuscular and intravenous administration of the antibiotic in doses equivalent by the body surface to the course doses for humans there were no significant shifts in the function of the liver and kidneys, the count of the blood formed elements and the histologic pattern of the viscera. In the therapeutic doses the antibiotic had no action on hemopoiesis, respiration and the central nervous system. The allergenic properties of cefotaxime were slightly pronounced and similar to those of klaforan. The antibiotic had no action on the host immunity and showed no embryotoxic and teratogenic properties. After intravenous and intramuscular administration, cefotaxime had a slight irritating action on the tissues which was similar to that of klaforan.