IN-VITRO ACTIVITY OF FK-037, A NOVEL PARENTERAL CEPHALOSPORIN, AGAINST BACTERIAL ISOLATES FROM NEUTROPENIC CANCER-PATIENTS

The in vitro activity of FK-037, a novel parenteral cephalosporin, was compared fo that of ceftazidime, aztreonam and piperacillin (agents o ften used in empiric regimens in cancer patients) against recent bacte rial isolates from patients with cancer. FK-037 was either equal to or 2 to 16-fold more active than the comparative agents against members of the Enterobacteriaceae. It was also active against Acinetobacter sp p., Aeromonas spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and other Pseudomonas spp. Xanthomonas maltophilia and Alcaligenes denitrificans were relatively resistant to ah four agents. FK-037 was also 4 to 16-fold more active against mesa gram-positive organisms (including some methicillin-resi stant staphylococci) than was ceftazidime. Enterococcus spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus haemolyticus were relatively resista nt to FK-037 and ceftazidime. Overall, FK-037 has a broad antimicrobia l spectrum that includes the majority of gram-positive and gram-negati ve isolates.