Efficacy and safety of low dose aztreonam in the treatment of moderate to severe gram-negative bacterial infections.
One hundred and fifty-three patients with moderate to severe infections due to Gram-negative bacteria, including septicaemia (60 cases), lower respiratory tract infection (32 cases), intra-abdominal infection (40 cases) and urinary tract infection (21 cases), were treated with aztreonam 1 g every 12 h. This dosage is lower than usual. Criteria for inclusion included documented Gram-negative bacterial infections, and assessment of the severity of the disease by a scoring system for both community and hospital acquired infections. No other antibiotic active against Gram-negative bacteria was allowed. In 71 patients, in whom Gram-positive or anaerobic organisms were detected or suspected, additional agents effective against these organisms were administered. One hundred and forty-one patients (92.2%) were cured with a mean duration of treatment of 10.9 +/- 4.0 days. None of the Gram-negative bacteria initially isolated became resistant to aztreonam. Colonization, generally by a Gram-positive organism, was observed in 27 patients and superinfection in five. Aztreonam was well tolerated. This study suggests that a daily dosage of 2 g of aztreonam should be sufficient in the treatment of moderate to severe Gram-negative bacillary infections due to sensitive organisms.
Laboratoires Squibb, Tour Générale, Paris, France.
A
A
Clergeot
D
D
Steru
M A
MA
Rosset
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C
Carbon
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001398:Aztreonam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D001398:Aztreonam