Abstract
Cefuzonam (L-105, CZON), a new injectable cephalosporin, was used in 12 pediatric patients with infections. The following is a summary of the results:
1. The 12 cases included 3 cases of tonsillitis (pathogen: Haemophilus parainfluenzae in 1 case, Haemophilus influenzae in 2 cases), 4 cases of pneumonia (Staphylococcus aureus in 1 case, pathogen unknown in 3 cases), 2 cases of nephropyelitis (Escherichia colt in 2 cases), 1 case of purulent lymphadenitis (pathogen unknown), 1 case of purulent thyroiditis (mixed infection of Streptococcus milleri, Haemophilus aphrophilus and anaerobes), and 1 case of vulvar abscess (E. coli). Dose levels of CZON were 42.9-93.3 mg/kg/day divided into 3 or 4 times and the drug was intravenously injected for 6 to 12 days. Clinical efficacies were excellent in 4 cases, good in 5 cases, and poor in 3 cases, with the efficacy rate of 75.0%. The 3 cases with poor efficacy consisted of 1 case each of pneumonia complicated with chronic granulomatosis, purulent thyroiditis associated with piriform recess fistula, and purulent lymphadenitis of armpit developed after surgical operation of congenital heart disease. In the first 2 cases satisfactory efficacy was not obtained by chemotherapy alone, and complete cure was seen after surgical operation.
2. Side effects were not observed clinically. One case each of slight prolongation of prothrombin time and transient elevations of GOT and GPT values were noted but no severe abnormalities were found in laboratory tests.
3. The above results are reasonable from a point of view of the broad spectrum, potent antibacterial activity, and pharmacokinetics of this compound; thus, CZON appears to be a useful new antibiotic for the pediatric field. The recommended dosage for general pediatric infections is about 20 mg/kg at a time, 3 or 4 times of administration, by which expected efficacy may be obtainable.
