[Penetration of cefotaxime into bronchial secretions]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the penetration into bronchial secretions, of cefotaxime, a new highly-active cephalosporin. The study was performed in 45 patients with respiratory infections. The doses and the route of administration of the drug were different in 3 groups of patients: 10 patients received 0.750 g and 20 received 1 g intramuscularly; 10 patients received a 30 min IV Infusion of 2 g of cefotaxime. Bronchial samples were taken by means of fiberoptic bronchoscopy, after a single dose in all patients, and, respectively, after 3 and 7 days treatment in 30 and 15 patients. Simultaneous serum samples were collected in order to determine relationship between bronchial and corresponding serum levels. Assays were performed by means of the microbiological agar diffusion technique. In 30 cases bacteriological analysis was performed in order to determine the MICs for cefotaxime of the bacteria isolated in sputum. The results of the study showed a mean bronchial peak reaching about 2 microgram/ml at the 3d h. Individual concentrations were varying according to doses, route of administration and underlying pathology; the ratios between bronchial and corresponding serum levels were about 15 to 23 p. cent as usual for other cephalosporins. This study indicates that cefotaxime realizes significant bronchial amounts superior to MICs of microorganisms responsible for respiratory infections.