[Transfer of ceftizoxime to renal tissues]

Serum and renal tissue concentrations of ceftizoxime (CZX) after intravenous dosing with 1 g were determined in 15 patients with renal disease. The highest serum concentration of CZX was 105 micrograms/ml 6 minutes after dosing and the lowest concentration was 10.5 micrograms/ml at 170 minutes. The highest renal tissue concentration was 155 micrograms/g and the lowest concentration was 7.46 micrograms/g. There were no correlation between the tissue concentrations and sampling time. Tissue to serum concentration ratios ranged from 0.28 to 5.73. These patients were divided into 3 groups; hydronephrosis, normal kidneys and renal atrophy according to pyelographic findings. Their renal tissue concentrations were compared with serum concentrations in each group. The tissue concentrations were lower than the serum concentrations in the first group, and were almost the same or higher in the other groups. CZX concentrations in the medulla and the cortex were determined in 5 patients; and were higher in the medulla in 4 of these patients. Urinary tract infection due to E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, S. pyogenes or S. epidermidis was present in 5 of the 25 patients. Intravenous injection of 1 g of CZX provided therapeutically effective concentrations against these urinary tract infections.