In vitro activity of cefpirome against microorganisms isolated in haematology, oncology and intensive care units in Switzerland.
The in vitro activity of cefpirome, a new parenteral fourth-generation cephalosporin, was investigated in the 5 university hospitals of Switzerland, and compared to 9 other antibiotics mainly used in hospitals, such as ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, piperacillin, imipenem, gentamicin, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin. A total number of 992 strains collected only from intensive care units and haematology-oncology units were tested by microdilution according to NCCLS. Cefpirome showed an excellent activity against all Enterobacteriaceae (MIC90 = 4 mg/l), methicillin-susceptible staphylococci (MIC90 = 1 mg/l), Streptococcus pneumoniae (MIC90 = 0.25 mg/l) and Haemophilus influenzae (MIC90 = 0.12 mg/l) isolates. Its activity was superior to that of third-generation cephalosporins against cephalosporinase-depressed mutants of Enterobacter cloacae and Citrobacter freundii isolates (MIC90 > 32 mg/l for third-generation cephalosporins vs 4 mg/l for cefpirome). The MICs of cefpirome of 3 strains of Klebsiella spp. with an extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase were lower (MIC90 = 2 mg/l) than those of third-generation cephalosporins (MICs90 > 32 mg/l). Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa cefpirome was as active as ceftazidime. The activity of cefpirome was poor against methicillin-resistant staphylococci, enterococci and nosocomial Gram-negative bacteria such as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.
Liassine
N
N
Central Laboratory of Bacteriology, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
Bille
J
J
Breer
C
C
Frei
R
R
Wüst
J
J
Auckenthaler
R
R
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002510:Cephalosporinase / Q000009:adverse effects; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D000097572:Cefpirome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002510:Cephalosporinase; D002511:Cephalosporins; D000097572:Cefpirome