EFFICACY OF CEFOTETAN PLUS AMIKACINE IN T HE TREATMENT OF NOSOCOMIAL PNEUMONIA DUE TO EXTENDED BROAD-SPECTRUM KLEBSIELLA

Efficacy of a combination of cefotetan (4 g per day) and amikacin (15 mg/kg/day) has been evaluated in the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia due to extended broad-spectrum Klebsiella. 15 patients (age : 57 +/- 17 years ; SAPS : 12.9 +/- 0.9) have been studied. Nosocomial pneumoni a was diagnosed on both clinical and radiological criteria. Bacteriolo gical evaluation was made on quantitative culture of tracheal aspirate or protected brush specimen. Clinical response was complete resolutio n in 10 patients but in 3, a reinfection was caused by an other pathog en. Bacteriologic response was complete eradication in 5, eradication with persistance or appearance of an other pathogen in 8, failure in 2 . No adverse reaction appeared. Cefotetan plus amikacin appears to be an effective treatment of extented broad-spectrum Klebsiella nosocomia l pneumonia.