The evaluation of ceftazidime in the treatment of bacterial infections in eighty seriously ill patients.

Eighty patients with suspected or diagnosed bacterial infections were treated with ceftazidime. Sixty-five patients with 88 sites of infections could be assessed clinically. A cure or improvement was achieved in 61 patients (94%) with a total of 83 infection sites (94%). Failures were seen in four critically ill patients with severe underlying diseases. Eighty-six pathogens, most frequently Enterobacteriaceae, were isolated from appropriate specimens. The infecting organisms were all eradicated during therapy. In two patients reinfection with a new strain occurred. Except for a severe anaphylactic reaction in one patient, ceftazidime was well tolerated.