Clinical trial of cefonicid for treatment of skin infections.

Twenty patients with skin and soft-tissue infections were treated with parenteral cefonicid. Cultures obtained in cellulitis cases from an aspirate of a leading edge of inflammation were positive in 42% of these patients. Pathogens isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (six strains), Proteus mirabilis (one strain), and Streptococcus agalactiae. Adverse effects were pain on intramuscular injection (two patients), rash (one patient), and positive Coombs test (one patient). All side effects were mild and none required discontinuing antibiotic therapy. A single treatment failure occurred in a patient with an undrained perirectal abscess. Cefonicid may be a useful drug in the treatment of skin and soft-tissue infections. The long half-life of cefonicid (4.8 h) is a valuable advantage and may facilitate patient compliance and convenience.