Ceftazidime treatment of chronic Pseudomonas infection in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Abstract

Twenty-one patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), aged 1-18 years, with chronic lower respiratory tract infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, received 38 treatment courses of ceftazidime of 10-14 days duration. A favorable clinical response was observed in 28 of the 38 treatment courses. The minimal inhibitory concentration values of ceftazidime for the Pseudomonas isolates were concentrated around 0.5-1.0 mg/l, although a wide range of sensitivities was found (less than 0.03-32 mg/l). P. aeruginosa was eliminated after five treatment courses, but recurred after 1 month in four of these patients. The organism was permanently eradicated in one patient until his death 8 months later. Ceftazidime was well tolerated. The doses used in this study (50 mg/kg body weight i.v. twice daily) should probably be increased in order to achieve better microbiological response.