Randomized comparison of cefepime and ceftazidime for treatment of skin, surgical wound, and complicated urinary tract infections in hospitalized subjects.

We undertook a prospective, randomized open comparison of the broad-spectrum cephalosporins cefepime and ceftazidime in treatment of hospitalized subjects with skin or wound infections and complicated nosocomial urinary tract infections. Cefepime treatment (dosage, 2.0 g intravenously twice daily for 4 to 28 days) was successful in 36 (90%) of 40 infections of the skin and skin structure or wounds and in 16 (84%) of 19 nosocomial urinary tract infections. Ceftazidime treatment, 2.0 g every 8 h, was successful in 34 (96%) of 36 infections of the skin and skin structure and in 15 (88%) of 17 urinary tract infections. Microbiological eradication rates of each agent overall and for Pseudomonas aeruginosa were greater than 90%. In the cefepime group, one death occurred, contributed to by an enterococcal superinfection acquired during study drug therapy, and there were two mild and transient adverse experiences observed. Cefepime was comparable to ceftazidime in treatment of infections of the skin and skin structure requiring hospitalization and of complicated nosocomial urinary tract infections.