Ceftazidime in severe infections: a Swiss multicentre study

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology
• Clinical Microbiology

Background:

• Serious infections pose significant clinical challenges, often involving complex patient factors.
• Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are common causative agents in severe infections.
• Intravenous antibiotics are crucial for managing life-threatening bacterial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous ceftazidime in patients with serious infections.
• To assess treatment outcomes for infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
• To identify adverse events and resistance patterns associated with ceftazidime therapy.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 105 patients with serious infections received intravenous ceftazidime.
• Efficacy was assessed in 87 infectious episodes, with detailed analysis of causative pathogens and infection sites.
• Adverse events and development of antimicrobial resistance were systematically recorded.

Main Results:

• Ceftazidime demonstrated an overall cure rate of 67% and an improvement rate of 20%.
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections showed a high success rate, though resistance emerged in some cases.
• Common adverse events included rash, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, and transaminase elevation.

Conclusions:

• Intravenous ceftazidime is a safe and effective treatment option for severe Gram-negative bacterial infections.
• The emergence of ceftazidime resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa necessitates ongoing surveillance.
• Ceftazidime offers a valuable therapeutic option for complex infections, balancing efficacy with a manageable safety profile.