Treatment of severe lower respiratory tract infections with ceftriaxone (Ro 13-9904). A pilot study.

Two pilot comparative trials in 29 patients suffering from severe lower respiratory tract infections are described. 15 patients received 7-10.5 g ceftriaxone as a total dose and 14 received 28 g amoxicillin, both antibiotics being given by intravenous route during 1 week. The local and systemic tolerance of the drugs were satisfactory; no adverse reactions or relevant laboratory changes were noticed. The clinical response was favourable in all patients. The mot relevant pathogens found in the sputum were Streptococcus pneumoniae in 11 cases and Haemophilus influenzae in 15 cases. Less relevant microorganisms such as Klebsiella pneumonia, Serratia, Pseudomonas sp. and Streptococcus viridans were cultivated prior to therapy. The two main pathogens disappeared from the sputum after therapy in 11 of 13 patients treated with ceftriaxone and in 10 of 13 treated with amoxicillin. The results of these pilot studies indicate that 7-10.5 g ceftriaxone are as active as 28 g amoxicillin in the treatment of severe lower respiratory tract infections.