Clinical and pharmacokinetic study of cefotetan in biliary tract infections: preliminary report

Twelve hospitalised patients, affected by biliary tract infections, were treated with cefotetan at dosages ranging between 4 and 6 g daily i.v. In only 11 patients was the aetiological agent identified. Eleven patients (91.67%) completely recovered from their infections and the pathogens were eradicated; the treatment failed in only 1 patient (8.33%). Furthermore, determinations were made of cefotetan concentrations in serum, gallbladder bile, gallbladder wall and gallstones of 14 patients undergoing cholecystectomy: in 7 patients after only 1 injection i.v. of 2 g and in 7 patients after 7 injections i.v. of 2 g at intervals of 12 h. The levels recorded were several times higher than the minimum inhibitory concentrations against bacteria that are most often responsible for biliary infections. Cefotetan is a promising and effective antimicrobial agent in the therapy of biliary tract infections.