title: A pilot study of the efficacy of constant-infusion ceftazidime in the treatment of endobronchial infections in adults with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of constant-infusion ceftazidime (CTZ) with that of traditional intermittent dosing in a pilot trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, crossover trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five adults with cystic fibrosis requiring intravenous antibiotic therapy for pulmonary exacerbations of the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were initially treated with standard CTZ 2 g 3 times/day for 10 days. At the next hospitalization patients were crossed over and CTZ was administered as a constant infusion at a rate determined to achieve a serum concentration 6.6 times the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the least susceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pharmacokinetics of CTZ were determined, as were MICs for all P. aeruginosa isolates. Outcome parameters of interest were changes with therapy in white blood cell count, P aeruginosa density in sputum, and pulmonary function test results. Differences in these parameters for the two forms of administration were not significant. With the exception of one patient who received 6 g/day with both regimens, the average reduction in dosage with the constant infusion was 50%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary data suggest that constant-infusion CTZ may be as safe and efficacious as intermittent dosing.
authors.affiliation: Anti-Infective Research Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425-2303, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bosso
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Bonapace
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Flume
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002442:Ceftazidime / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins; D002442:Ceftazidime