Penetration of cefuzoname into the cerebrospinal fluid of rabbits.

Concentrations of cefuzoname in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were determined in a total of 16 rabbits, 5 with healthy meninges, 5 with Staphylococcus aureus meningitis, and 6 with Escherichia coli meningitis. Mean percentages of the maximum concentration of the drug in CSF versus that in serum were 0.57, 3.37, and 4.40% for healthy rabbits, those with staphylococcal meningitis, and those with E. coli meningitis, respectively. The percentages of the area under the concentration-time curve of cefuzoname in CSF versus that in serum were, in the order of healthy group, staphylococcal meningitis group, and E. coli meningitis group, 0.61, 4.99, and 8.04% at 15 to 60 min, 1.44, 7.09, and 12.7% at 15 to 120 min, and 1.87, 8.07, and 15.8% at 15 to 180 min after administration, showing significant differences between the healthy and meningitis groups. All of the values in the E. coli meningitis group were greater than those of the staphylococcal meningitis group, but the differences were not significant. The ratios of the half-life of cefuzoname in CSF to that in serum were 2.10, 1.98, and 3.37 for the healthy, staphylococcal meningitis, and E. coli meningitis groups, respectively, with no significant difference between the three groups. Cefuzoname seems to be among the middle ranks of beta-lactam agents as far as penetration rate is concerned; however, when its potent antibacterial activity and broad spectrum are taken into account, the concentrations in CSF in patients with meningitis seem worth examining.