[Clinical evaluation of imipenem/cilastatin sodium in infectious complications of hematological malignancies. Tohkai Research Group on Infections in Hematological Disorders].

Imipenem/cilastatin sodium (IPM/CS), a newly developed carbapenem antibiotic, was administered to a total of 152 patients with severe infections complicating hematological disorders, of whom 138 patients are included in the present analysis of efficacy and 152 in that of safety. Most of the underlying diseases were acute leukemia (76/138), and most patients suffered from sepsis or suspicion of sepsis (84/138). Out of 138 patients in whom efficacy was evaluable, responses were excellent in 41 patients, good in 55, fair in 19, and poor in 23. The overall clinical efficacy rate was 69.6% (96/138). Prior antibiotic treatment and peripheral neutrophil count had significant effects on the clinical response. The overall eradication rate of bacteria was 76.2%. Adverse reactions were observed in 15 patients (9.9%) and abnormal laboratory test results in 19 patients (12.5%). From the above findings, IPM/CS is considered to be a useful antibiotic for the treatment of severe infections accompanying hematopoietic disorders.