[Clinical use of cefoxitin in respiratory tract infections]

Cefoxitin (CFX) was used in 9 patients who had respiratory tract infections and following results were obtained: CFX was used in 2 patients with acute pneumonia, 2 with lung abscess, 3 with a mixed infection of lung cancer, 1 with a mixed infection of pulmonary tuberculosis and 1 with empyema. The overall efficacy rate was 77.8%; results were excellent in 2, good in 5 and poor in 2. Bacteriologically, all strains except P. aeruginosa were eradicated after treatment. No side effects were observed. A slight transient elevation of transaminase was observed in 1 patient after doses of 4 approximately 8 g daily. From the above, CFX seems to be a useful and safe drug as an initial choice in the treatment of respiratory tract infections.