Ceftazidime alone and in combination in patients with cystic fibrosis: lack of efficacy in treatment of severe respiratory infections caused by Pseudomonas cepacia.

Fourteen patients with cystic fibrosis received 18 treatment courses with ceftazidime for acute respiratory illnesses associated with Pseudomonas cepacia. All patients had severe chronic lung disease. Clinical improvement occurred in only six treatment courses; eight treatment courses resulted in failure and four patients died. Severe illness was characterized by high fever, marked elevation of WBC and ESR. Treatment had no effect on sputum colony counts of Ps. cepacia in 17 of 18 courses, but significantly reduced counts of Ps. aeruginosa in 90% of those patients infected with both bacteria.