Anaerobic infections in cancer patients--a retrospective analysis of clindamycin, tinidazole, doxycycline, cefoxitin and lamoxactam.

The results of three consecutive clinical trials on the therapy of anaerobic infections in cancer patients have been compared. The success rate with lamoxactam (94%) (6000mg/d i.v.) was statistically different from that of doxycycline (63%) (300 mg/d per os). Clindamycin (1200 mg/d per os), clindamycin (2700 mg/d i.v.) and cefoxitin (6000 mg/d i.v.) resulted in a favourable outcome in approximately 80% of the patients. Mixed anaerobic infections had a similar response rate (80%). Even when the anaerobic pathogen was resistant to therapy, six of ten patients were cured. Surgical drainage played an important role, but was difficult to assess precisely.