Tissue levels in patients after intravenous administration of ceftazidime

Surgical patients (15 gynaecological and 58 other operative cases) were given 2 g of ceftazidime iv preoperatively. The ceftazidime levels of tissues removed during operation were determined. Levels were also determined from serum samples taken 30 min, 1 h, 3 h and 7 h post dosing. Tissue/serum ratios were calculated on the basis of the serum level at the time of removal of the tissue. For the myometrium, skeletal muscle, prostate, skin, gallbladder wall, breast, peritoneal tissue and fatty tissue these ratios were: 0.632 +/- 0.14, 0.600 +/- 0.18, 0.579 +/- 0.14, 0.441 +/- 0.18, 0.413 +/- 0.16, 0.368 +/- 0.15, 0.305 +/- 0.13 and 0.224 +/- 0.10 respectively. These ratios are higher than those reported in the literature. The possible reason for this discrepancy is discussed.