Experience with ceftazidime in cystic fibrosis

Twelve adults and children with cystic fibrosis received a total of 17 courses of ceftazidime for the treatment of an acute exacerbation of respiratory tract infection. In 6 cases ceftazidime was given as the sole antibiotic. All patients who were clinically assessable were considered to be cured of the acute infection, or improved. Bacteriologically all initial sputum specimens contained Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In 13 instances the organism disappeared during treatment, while in the other 4 the organism remained although the patients improved clinically. Additional organisms, usually Staphylococcus aureus or Haemophilus influenzae, were present in 7 instances. One patient suffered from nausea, palpitations and local skin inflammation on injection whilst being treated with ceftazidime, but the relationship between these adverse effects and ceftazidime was uncertain. The patient tolerated these effects without discontinuation of the drug.