Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia treated with cefotaxime

Staphylococcus aureus strains were exposed in vitro to continuously decreasing cefotaxime concentrations. The initial concentration was approximately 4 X MIC and decreased at t1/2 = 60 min. A reduction in the colony count was seen even after the concentration had dropped below the MIC level. Sixteen patients with blood cultures positive for S. aureus were treated with cefotaxime. Four patient died of underlying diseases. The condition of one patient with staphylococcal endocarditis under treatment with vancomycin in combination with cefotaxime deteriorated when cefotaxime was discontinued, suggesting possible synergism between these two drugs against staphylococci.