Treatment of acute and chronic osteomyelitis with ceftizoxime

Abstract

Ceftizoxime, a new parenteral cephalosporin, was evaluated for efficacy and safety in 26 patients. Diagnosis of acute and chronic osteomyelitis was made on the basis of clinical and radiographic evidence of bone infection. The diagnosis was confirmed by a positive bone biopsy culture. Eight patients were eliminated from the study because the isolated pathogens were resistant to ceftizoxime, and four were dropped because of presumptive side effects. Of the 14 patients who completed the study, three had acute osteomyelitis and 11 had chronic osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis was arrested in 13 (93%) and one had unsatisfactory result. Follow-up has ranged from 1–12 months post ceftizoxime therapy. Laboratory monitoring revealed elevated transaminases (two patients), elevated alkaline phosphatase (two patients), neutropenia <1400 neutrophils (two patients), drug fever/myalgia (one patient), and pseudomembranous colitis (one patient).