Randomized study of ceftazidime versus gentamicin plus cefotaxime for infections in severe granulocytopenic patients

A randomized study of gentamicin plus cefotaxime versus ceftazidime alone was performed in 87 patients, with a neutrophil count of less than 1000/mm3 at the start of the treatment. The overall cure rate for the ceftazidime group was 71% and for the gentamicin plus cefotaxime 47%. This difference was shown to be statistically significant at a level of P less than 0.05. The cure rates for the microbiologically proven infections were 90 and 63% respectively. Serious adverse effects, causing preliminary withdrawal of therapy, have not been observed.