Failure of intraarticular ceftazidime in a patient with Pseudomonas aeruginosa septic arthritis.

This report describes a patient with Pseudomonas aeruginosa septic arthritis who received ceftazidime by the intravenous and intraarticular routes. Concentrations of ceftazidime in the synovial fluid following both routes of administration were measured and found to be above the minimum inhibitory concentration. Despite this the organism was not eradicated. We were unable to find other literature describing the disposition of ceftazidime in synovial fluid and therefore this single-patient study provides novel information. We were unable to account for the apparent failure of therapy.