Penetration of ceftazidime into human pancreas

The use of antibiotics in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (stage II and III) is indicated since bacterial complications are the most common cause of death in these patients. In the present study the penetration of ceftazidime into pancreatic juice, into healthy and chronically inflamed pancreatic tissue as well as into necrotic regions in cases of severe acute pancreatitis was investigated. A peak concentration of 12.9 +/- 5.9 mg/l was found 60 min after intravenous administration of 35 mg/kg of the drug, which is 32% of the corresponding serum levels. Pancreatic tissue concentrations varied between 9 and 79% of the corresponding serum levels, depending on the stage of inflammation. After five days of antibiotic treatment with doses of 2 g t.i.d., concentrations between 1.8 and 6.9 mg/kg were detected even in pancreatic necroses. This suggests that sufficient antibacterial levels of ceftazidime were present in all pancreatic compartments analyzed following administration of common therapeutic dosages. Therefore, from a pharmacokinetic point of view, ceftazidime could be a potentially effective drug for the treatment of pancreatitis.