[Efficacy of sulbactam/cefoperazone in respiratory tract infections in elderly patients with underlying respiratory diseases].

We examined the clinical effect of sulbactam/cefoperazone (SBT/CPZ) on respiratory tract infections in elderly patients (from 65 to 91, average 70.8) with underlying respiratory diseases. Thirty (30) patients (25 men and 5 women) were registered and SBT/CPZ (2 g/day) divided into two doses, was administered intravenously through drip infusion. The efficacy rate was 63% (excellent in 1 patient and good in 18 patients). No significant difference in efficacy was found among patient's age groups (group 1: 65-69, group 2: 70-74, group 3: 75-79, group 4: > 80). Bacterial eradication rate was 50% (6 out of 12 strains). An adverse reaction occurred in one patient, who experienced uticaria. Laboratory abnormalities, which were increasing with their ages, were observed in 12 patients during the study. These results suggest that SBT/CPZ was effective, but we found it is important to use caution in the treatment of elderly patients on respiratory tract infections with underlying respiratory diseases.