THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF CEFTIZOXIME ON SEVERE INFECTIOUS COMPLICATIONS IN BLOOD DISORDERS

Abstract

Ceftizoxime (CZX) was given by intravenous injection in daily doses of 2-8g to 103 patients with severe infections complicating hematopoietic disorders. The clinical effect was evaluated in 95 of the 103 patients. The causative organisms were identified in 22 patients but were unknown in the remaining 73. Infected sites were the respiratory tract, urinary tract, soft tissue, and blood. The overall effectiveness rate (inclusive of marked and moderate) was 61.1% (58/95). The effectiveness rate was 63.6% (14/22) in patients in whom the causative organisms were identified and 60.3% (44/73) in patients in whom the causative organisms could not be identified and 60.0% (18/30) in 30 patients with less than 100 neutrophils per mm³ before treatment. No side effects were noted except drug fever in 1 patient. Abnormal hepatic function was seen in 6 patients but was not attributed to the drug in any case. The results indicate that CZX is a safe and useful antibiotic for the treatment of severe infectious complications in hematopoietic disorders.