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Activity of cefotaxime against enterococci
Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
|June 1, 1984
Summary
Third-generation cephalosporins offer broad-spectrum antibiotic activity but show limited efficacy against enterococci. This can lead to enterococcal superinfections, with moxalactam potentially posing a higher risk than other agents in this class.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Third-generation cephalosporins possess the broadest antibiotic spectrum among currently available agents.
- They are effective against Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and anaerobes like Bacteroides fragilis.
- However, their activity against Gram-positive organisms is generally lower, with notable limitations against enterococci.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of third-generation cephalosporins against various bacterial pathogens.
- To investigate the potential for enterococcal superinfections in patients treated with these antibiotics.
- To compare the risk of enterococcal superinfection among different third-generation cephalosporin agents.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on the antimicrobial spectra of third-generation cephalosporins.
- Analysis of clinical data regarding infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, anaerobes, Gram-positive cocci, and enterococci.
- Comparison of reported cases of enterococcal superinfection associated with different third-generation cephalosporins.
Main Results:
- Third-generation cephalosporins exhibit excellent activity against Enterobacteriaceae and good activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and anaerobes.
- Clinical effectiveness is observed against Staphylococcus aureus and other Gram-positive cocci, despite lower in vitro activity.
- Enterococci demonstrate resistance to most third-generation cephalosporins, leading to a significant risk of superinfection, with moxalactam showing a higher reported incidence.
Conclusions:
- Third-generation cephalosporins are broad-spectrum antibiotics valuable for treating various infections.
- Their limited activity against enterococci necessitates vigilance for superinfections in treated patients.
- Differences exist among third-generation cephalosporins regarding their propensity to cause enterococcal superinfections, with moxalactam warranting particular attention.