[Therapeutic effect of cefotaxime against severe infections in patients with hematopoietic diseases].

Seventy-five patients with severe infection accompanying hematologic disorder, including leukemia and malignant lymphoma, were treated with cefotaxime (CTX). CTX was administered by intravenous drip infusion at a daily dose ranging from 4 to 16 g for terms of 3 to 21 days. The total doses were ranged from 12 to 226 g. The results obtained were as follows: Clinical effects: Excellent in 20 cases, good in 21 cases, fair in 7 cases and poor in 27 cases. The efficacy rate was 54.7% (41/75). Clinical effectiveness on isolated organisms (27 cases): In single infection (21 cases), the efficacy rates were 80% for Gram-positive cocci, including S. aureus and 63.6% for Gram-negative bacilli other than P. aeruginosa. In mixed infection (6 cases), the rate was 50.0%. There were no significant differences in the efficacy rates for those patients who were grouped by the initial number of neutrophil (less than 100, 101--500 and over 501/mm3). There were no significant difference in the efficacy rates for those patients who were grouped by the initial number of lymphocyte (less than 500 and over 501/mm3). Side effects and abnormal laboratory findings: One case of skin rash and 2 cases of elevated GOT and GPT were observed. CTX was therefore considered as a clinically useful antibiotic for the severe infections even in neutropenic state in patients suffering from malignant hematological diseases.