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Cefmetazole treatment of intra-abdominal infection
W J Holloway1, D L Winslow, J F Reinhardt
1Infectious Disease Section, Medical Center of Delaware, Wilmington.
Abstract:
Seventy-nine patients were enrolled in a study comparing cefmetazole and cefoxitin as single agent antibiotic therapy for intra-abdominal infection. Thirty-seven patients had appendicitis, 16 patients had perforated peptic ulcer while 26 patients had a variety of other infectious processes. The clinical response to both antibiotics was good and tolerance was equivalent. Four patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from the initial culture experienced microbiological failure. Three patients treated with cefmetazole had prolongation of the prothrombin time.
Insights
Cefmetazole and cefoxitin showed similar effectiveness and tolerance for treating intra-abdominal infections. A few patients experienced microbiological failure or prothrombin time prolongation with cefmetazole.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Intra-abdominal infections are a significant cause of morbidity.
- Single-agent antibiotic therapy is often preferred for its simplicity.
- Cefmetazole and cefoxitin are cephalosporin antibiotics with broad-spectrum activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy and safety of cefmetazole versus cefoxitin as single-agent therapy for intra-abdominal infections.
- To evaluate clinical response, microbiological outcomes, and adverse events associated with each antibiotic.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study enrolling 79 patients with intra-abdominal infections.
- Patients received either cefmetazole or cefoxitin as single-agent antibiotic therapy.
- Infections included appendicitis, perforated peptic ulcer, and other processes.
Main Results:
- Both cefmetazole and cefoxitin demonstrated good clinical response rates.
- Patient tolerance was equivalent between the two antibiotic groups.
- Microbiological failure occurred in four patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Three patients receiving cefmetazole experienced prothrombin time prolongation.
Conclusions:
- Cefmetazole and cefoxitin are effective and well-tolerated single agents for intra-abdominal infections.
- Potential for prothrombin time prolongation with cefmetazole warrants consideration.
- Further investigation may be needed for specific pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.