Treatment of significant bacterial infections in adults with cefoxitin

Cefoxitin is a new antimicrobial agent derived from cephamycin C. Fifty-four hospitalized patients with 63 clinically significant infections were treated with cefoxitin. Fifty-four infections (86%) were cured by therapy with cefoxitin alone or together with local therapy (i.e., heat, elevation, or surgical drainage). Six infections (10%) were not eradicated by the therapy used. Three patients could not be evaluated. Addition of oral probenecid therapy produced increases in levels of cefoxitin in serum and increased the inhibitory and bactericidal levels of cefoxitin in serum to more favorable ratios. Adverse side effects were seen in 19 patients and included positive direct Coombs' tests, increased eosinophil counts, skin rashes, vasculitis, phlebitis, elevation of liver enzymes, and drug-induced fever.