The clinical use of aztreonam

Aztreonam is the first monobactam antibiotic to be used clinically. It is highly resistant to beta-lactamases, and although its activity spectrum is similar to that of the aminoglycoside antibiotics, it has no effect on gram-positive bacteria. The current study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of aztreonam in treating gram-negative infections caused by multiresistant microorganisms in patients with known sensitivity to penicillins and cephalosporins. Sixty-six patients presented with urinary tract infection (UTI) and 30 with respiratory tract infection (RTI). All patients received aztreonam, between 4 and 6 g/day in divided doses for 10-14 days. Cure was achieved in 59 (89.3%) patients with UTI; in the group with RTI, 20 patients were cured and 4 improved with treatment. Tolerance to the drug was good in both groups, and in no instance did side effects necessitate modification of the dosing regimen.