[Evaluation of the clinical activity of azlocillin. A multicenter study conducted in 14 centers]

Azlocillin, an acylureidopenicillin particularly active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was used to treat 124 patients, 36 of whom were children, presenting with pulmonary infections (including cystic fibrosis), urinary, genital, intra-abdominal, osteoarticular and skin infections as well as septicaemia, otitis and meningitis. The causative agent in all cases was Ps. aeruginosa either alone or associated with other pathogens. Azlocillin was administered alone in 75% of the cases and in combination with an aminoglycoside in 25%. Dosage was 240 mg/kg/24 h in three intravenous infusions in adults and in children older than 3 months, and 75 to 225 mg/kg/24 h in two intravenous injections in neonates and prematures. The duration of treatment varied according to the site of infection, with a mean of 10 days. One-hundred and eight pathogenic organisms were isolated, including 114 strains of Pseudomonas, 43 of which were carbenicillin-resistant. A satisfactory clinical response was observed in 86.5% of the infections. The bacteriological response was similar to the clinical response, with 76.6% cures, 10% improvements and 13.5% failures. Microbiologically, 77.5% of the germs were eradicated, 7.5% reappeared and 15% persisted. Azlocillin was well tolerated systemically and biochemically and had no detrimental effect on renal function.