Comparison of susceptibilities of anaerobic bacteria to cefmenoxime, ceftriaxone, and other antimicrobial compounds

Cefotaxime. An update of its pharmacology and therapeutic use

Cefotaxime was the first 'third generation' cephalosporin to be marketed and is administered intramuscularly or intravenously. Similar to other agents of this class, it has a broad spectrum of in vitro activity, particularly against Enterobacteriaceae, including beta-lactamase-producing strains. Cefotaxime forms a metabolite, desacetylcefotaxime, which is antibacterially effective against many bacteria per se and acts additively or synergistically with cefotaxime against many strains. Since the first review of cefotaxime in the Journal, further studies have confirmed its value in the treatment of various infections: complicated urinary tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, bacteraemia, meningitis, uncomplicated gonorrhoea, infections of skin and soft tissue and of bone and joints, and obstetric and gynaecological infections. Cefotaxime is effective as an empirical treatment of suspected infection due to susceptible organisms in immunocompromised patients and is of proven efficacy in serious, life-threatening infections in general. Cefotaxime reduces the incidence of postsurgical infection but the role of third generation cephalosporins in prophylaxis remains to be determined. The indications for which cefotaxime and other 'third generation' cephalosporins would be considered the most appropriate therapy remain largely dependent upon such factors as varied as cost, local medical custom, decisions of regulatory agencies and geographical patterns of bacterial resistance. Cefotaxime nevertheless represents a valuable 'third generation' cephalosporin of great clinical value in certain infectious conditions, in particular those which are serious and life-threatening and where resistance to therapies is creating a clinical problem.

Cefmenoxime. A review of its antibacterial activity, pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic use

Cefmenoxime is an aminothiazolyl cephalosporin administered intravenously or intramuscularly. Like other 'third-generation' cephalosporins it is active in vitro against most common Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, is a potent inhibitor of Enterobacteriaceae (including beta-lactamase-producing strains), and is resistant to hydrolysis by beta-lactamases. Cefmenoxime has a high rate of clinical efficacy in many types of infection and is at least equal in clinical and bacteriological efficacy to several other cephalosporins in urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, postoperative infections and gonorrhoea. Cefmenoxime, like latamoxef, cefoperazone and cefamandole, has an N-methyltetrazole side chain at the 3-position of the cephalosporin nucleus and thus possesses the potential for producing hypoprothrombinaemic bleeding and disulfiram-like reactions. However, these reactions have been reported very rarely and the antibacterial is generally well tolerated. It is likely that cefmenoxime will most closely resemble cefotaxime and ceftizoxime in therapeutic profile and usefulness.

Ceftriaxone: a beta-lactamase-stable, broad-spectrum cephalosporin with an extended half-life

Ceftriaxone is an aminothiazolyl-oxyimino cephalosporin. It possesses the typical in vitro activity of a third-generation cephalosporin with excellent activity against many gram-negative aerobic bacilli: Escherichia coli; species of Proteus, Klebsiella, Morganella, Providencia and Citrobacter; and Enterobacter agglomerans. Ceftriaxone also has outstanding bactericidal action against pneumococci, group B streptococci, meningococci, gonococci and Hemophilus influenzae. In healthy volunteers, it has an exceptionally long serum half-life of 5.8-8.7 (mean 6.5) hours. It distributes well throughout all body spaces, including cerebrospinal fluid in the presence of inflammation. Dosage modification is necessary only when there is combined hepatic and renal dysfunction. Adverse reactions characteristic of cephalosporins have been observed with the administration of ceftriaxone. No unique toxicities have been identified, and hypoprothrombinemic bleeding is not part of the adverse reaction profile. Ceftriaxone has been used to treat serious bacterial infections in neonates, infants, children and adults. Bacteriologic and clinical success rates have consistently exceeded 90%. The drug has also been used as single-dose chemoprophylaxis in coronary artery bypass, biliary tract, vaginal hysterectomy and prostatic surgery. Efficacy and safety were similar to multiple-dose cefazolin. Ceftriaxone warrants special consideration because its extended half-life allows for less frequent dosing than other antimicrobials. Significant cost savings can be realized with proper use of this antibiotic.

[Antibacterial activity of ceftriaxone]

In this study the author reports the main in vitro characteristics of ceftriaxone, a new aminothiazolyl methoxy-iminocephalosporin. The relationship between its structure and the antibacterial activity compared with cefotaxime reveals an expected longer antibacterial efficacy due to a long elimination half-life (8 h). It has been shown that ceftriaxone is highly stable against most either plasmid or chromosome-mediated beta-lactamases. Several studies demonstrated that the spectrum of ceftriaxone included Gram-positive cocci as well as most Gram-negative bacilli even beta-lactamase producers; a variable in vitro activity against Gram-negative aerobic bacteria (Pseudomonas sp., Acinetobacter sp.) has been proved, with a frequent synergistic bactericidal activity when combined with aminoglycosides, or with other beta-lactam antibiotics (carbenicillin, piperacillin). Multiple PBPs targets have been identified, including PBP1b, 2 and 3, leading to filamentation of E. coli, Ps. aeruginosa and Haemophilus cells. As a result, ceftriaxone displays a high intrinsic in vitro activity against troublesome strains and might be considered as a promising new cephalosporin for treatment of severe infections.

Comparative evaluation of cefmenoxime versus cefoxitin in serious infections

Fifty-nine patients with serious infections were assigned at random in a two-to-one ratio to receive either cefmenoxime or cefoxitin given intravenously in a dosage of 0.5 to 2.0 g every six hours. Of 44 patients evaluable for efficacy, eight had concomitant bacteremia and all but 10 had serious underlying disease. The average duration of therapy was seven days. All patients with skin and soft tissue infections were cured after treatment with either antibiotic. Cefmenoxime achieved clinical and bacteriologic cures in 92 and 83 percent, respectively, of 12 patients with pneumonia and in 100 and 82 percent of 11 patients with urinary tract infections. Cefoxitin therapy resulted in clinical and bacteriologic cures in all four patients with pneumonia. Among 10 patients with urinary tract infection, respective cure rates were 90 and 50 percent. Both antibiotics were well tolerated. One cefmenoxime-treated patient discontinued treatment because of a rash.

Ceftriaxone. A review of its antibacterial activity, pharmacological properties and therapeutic use

Ceftriaxone is a new 'third generation' semisynthetic cephalosporin with a long half-life which has resulted in a recommended once daily administration schedule. It is administered intravenously or intramuscularly and has a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic, and some anaerobic, bacteria. The activity of ceftriaxone is generally greater than that of the 'first' and 'second generation' cephalosporins against Gram-negative bacteria, but less than that of the earlier generations of cephalosporins against many Gram-positive bacteria. Although ceftriaxone has some activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, on the basis of present evidence it cannot be recommended as sole antibiotic therapy in pseudomonal infections. Ceftriaxone has been effective in treating infections due to other 'difficult' organisms such as multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Ceftriaxone was effective in complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infections, lower respiratory tract infections, skin, soft tissue, bone and joint infections, bacteraemia/septicaemia, and paediatric meningitis due to susceptible organisms. In most of these types of infections once-daily administration appears efficacious. Results were also encouraging in a few patients with ear, nose and throat, intra-abdominal, obstetric and gynaecological infections, and adult meningitis, but conclusions are not yet possible as to the efficacy of the drug in these indications due to limited experience. A single intramuscular dose of ceftriaxone has been compared with standard therapy for gonorrhoea due to non-penicillinase-producing and penicillinase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and shown to be highly effective. In a few small trials the comparative efficacy of ceftriaxone and other antibacterials has been assessed in other types of infections and in perioperative prophylaxis in patients undergoing surgery. Few significant differences in response rates were found between therapeutic groups in these comparative studies, but larger well-designed studies are needed to more clearly assess the comparative efficacy of ceftriaxone and other antimicrobials, especially the aminoglycosides and other 'third generation' cephalosporins, and to confirm the apparent lack of serious side effects with ceftriaxone. If more widespread use confirms the safety and efficacy of ceftriaxone, it will offer an important alternative, particularly for the treatment of serious infections due to multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria and in situations where the long half-life of the drug could result in worthwhile convenience and cost benefits.