Aztreonam in the treatment of bone and joint infections caused by gram-negative bacilli

Aztreonam was used successfully in 17 of 17 patients with orthopedic infections due to gram-negative bacilli (11, osteomyelitis; six, septic arthritis). Duration of treatment ranged from 14 to 55 days, and the period of follow-up was four to 18 months. Causative organisms included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter gergoviae, Citrobacter diversus, Proteus mirabilis, and Enterobacter aerogenes. Aztreonam was well tolerated. The only definite reactions attributable to aztreonam were asymptomatic increases in serum aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT) and serum alanine aminotransferase (SGPT) in four patients; none of these reactions interfered with completion of therapy. Adverse reactions that were possibly attributable to aztreonam included rash (two patients), diarrhea (one patient), and leukopenia (one patient). All of these patients were receiving antibiotics active against gram-positive organisms in mixed infections in addition to aztreonam. Aztreonam is a promising new monobactam without significant toxicity. It has good activity against gram-negative aerobic bacteria, including P. aeruginosa, and is effective in the treatment of serious infections due to gram-negative aerobes.