Efficacy of the combination of levofloxacin plus ceftazidime in the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia in the intensive care unit

Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2006 Dec;28(6):582-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2006.08.006. Epub 2006 Sep 18.

Abstract

To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of treatment with a combination of levofloxacin and ceftazidime in Gram-negative hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), we performed a prospective, open-label, non-comparative, 1-year study in an Italian ICU. Patients received levofloxacin 500 mg twice a day intravenously plus ceftazidime 2 g three times a day intravenously for 7-14 days. Primary efficacy variables were clinical and microbiological responses at test-of-cure visit. Twenty-one patients were enrolled. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most frequently identified pathogens. Clinical success was achieved in 17/21 clinically evaluable patients (81%) and in 12/15 microbiologically evaluable patients (80%). Regarding only the group with ventilator-associated pneumonia, cure was achieved in 10/14 clinically evaluable patients (71%) and in 11/14 microbiologically evaluable patients (79%). Therapy was well tolerated. We conclude that this combination regimen is safe and clinically and microbiologically efficacious in the treatment of Gram-negative HAP.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Ceftazidime / therapeutic use*
  • Cross Infection / drug therapy*
  • Cross Infection / microbiology
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / drug therapy*
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units*
  • Italy
  • Levofloxacin*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ofloxacin / therapeutic use*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / drug therapy*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Levofloxacin
  • Ceftazidime
  • Ofloxacin