title: In vitro activity of cefotaxime against clinically significant pathogens.
abstract: The present in vitro antibacterial activities of cefotaxime and 8 other cephalosporins (cefoperazone, cefmenoxime, cefpiramide, latamoxef, cefamandole, cefmetazole, cefotiam and cephazolin) were evaluated simultaneously in 384 strains of Gram-positive cocci, 595 strains of Enterobacteriaceae, 240 strains of non-fermenters and 143 strains of anaerobes and miscellaneous organisms. The results were expressed as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range, MIC50 and MIC90. Of the beta-lactams, cefotaxime and latamoxef exhibited the highest activity against a wide variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. MIC90 of cefotaxime, however, for species of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Xanthomonas maltophilia, enterococci, Bacteroides sp. and Clostridium difficile were more than 100 mg/L. Cefpiramide and cefoperazone were generally less active than these 2 agents. All strains were tested for beta-lactamase production by the cefinase disc method and the relationship of susceptibility to beta-lactams was evaluated in each species. The need was demonstrated for periodic susceptibility testing to be performed to better guide empirical antimicrobial therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakashio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D002435:Cefamandole / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D002438:Cefoperazone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008835:Micrococcaceae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D002435:Cefamandole; D002438:Cefoperazone; D001618:beta-Lactamases; D002437:Cefazolin; D002439:Cefotaxime