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Cefotaxime: single agent therapy for infections in cancer patients with adequate granulocyte counts
Abstract:
Seventy-eight infectious episodes in 75 cancer patients with adequate granulocyte counts were treated with cefotaxime. Sixty-six episodes were evaluable. The overall cure rate was 77% (51/66). The response rate in 46 episodes where an organism was identified was 72% (33/46). Gram-positive and Gram-negative infections responded equally with rates of 81% and 80% respectively. Pneumonia, septicaemia and urinary tract infections occurred most frequently and had response rates of 62% (18/29), 90% (9/10) and 91% (10/11) respectively. Polymicrobial infections were associated with a poor response--40% (4/10). No serious adverse effects occurred. Cefotaxime as a single agent was effective therapy for most Gram-positive and Gram-negative infections in cancer patients with adequate granulocyte counts. Polymicrobial infections and Gram-negative pneumonias might require additional agents.
Insights
Cefotaxime effectively treated bacterial infections in cancer patients with sufficient granulocytes, showing a 77% overall cure rate. However, polymicrobial infections and Gram-negative pneumonias may necessitate additional antimicrobial agents.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cancer patients with adequate granulocyte counts are susceptible to bacterial infections.
- Prompt and effective treatment is crucial for managing infections in immunocompromised individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cefotaxime as a single agent for treating infectious episodes in cancer patients.
- To determine response rates across different infection types and causative organisms.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 75 cancer patients with 78 infectious episodes and adequate granulocyte counts received cefotaxime treatment.
- Sixty-six episodes were evaluated for treatment outcomes.
- Infection types, causative organisms, and response rates were analyzed.
Main Results:
- An overall cure rate of 77% (51/66) was observed.
- Response rates for Gram-positive and Gram-negative infections were 81% and 80%, respectively.
- High response rates were noted for septicaemia (90%) and urinary tract infections (91%), while pneumonia showed a 62% response rate. Polymicrobial infections had a lower response rate of 40%.
Conclusions:
- Cefotaxime is an effective single-agent therapy for most Gram-positive and Gram-negative infections in cancer patients with adequate granulocyte counts.
- Consideration should be given to additional antimicrobial agents for polymicrobial infections and Gram-negative pneumonias.
- Cefotaxime demonstrated a favorable safety profile with no serious adverse effects reported.