Inhibitory and Bactericidal Activity of Cefpirome and Cefotaxime against Blood Culture Isolates

Abstract

Using a broth microtiter dilution method, minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined for the aminothiazolyl cephalosporins cefpirome and cefotaxime against 436 blood culture isolates. At concentrations of ≤16 mg/l, cefpirome inhibited 82.3% of the isolates and cefotaxime 66.5%. At the same concentrations, cefpirome killed 60.0% of the isolates and cefotaxime 46.7%. Whereas the MIC values indicated a far better activity of cefpirome than cefotaxime against oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the MBC values showed a poor activity of both drugs against these strains. By comparison, cefpirome was the more active agent, covering a similar spectrum to that of cefotaxime with a slight additional activity against oxacillin-susceptible 5. aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Cefpirome (HR 810), a New Cephalosporin

“…Cefpirome is a semisynthetic cephalosporin; its in vitro and in vivo activities in animal models, and pharmacokinetic properties, have been evaluated (Ansorg et al 1990;Arai & Hayashi 1990;Bakhtiar & Selwyn 1989;Bertram et al 1984;Clarke et al 1985;Eng et al 1989;Jafari et al 1991;Jones et al 1991;Kavi et al 1989;King et al 1990;KIesel et al 1990;Pucci et al 1991;Sapico et al 1991;Saxby et al 1990;Valdes et al 1 990a). These studies have shown that cefpirome is stable against the action of many fj-lactamases and that it has an improved pharmacokinetic profile compared with most of the existing cephalosporins, excellent in vitro activity against commonly isolated bacterial pathogens, and is effective in eradicating serious infections in experimental animals.…”