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Comparison of the bactericidal activities of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin alone and in combination with ceftazidime and piperacillin against clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

On the basis of MIC data, ciprofloxacin exhibits superior activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa than the other currently available fluoroquinolones do. Despite the antipseudomonal advantage noted for ciprofloxacin monotherapy, it is unknown whether this advantage is maintained when the fluoroquinolones are used in combination with antipseudomonal beta-lactams such as ceftazidime and piperacillin. Twelve healthy volunteers were enrolled in this open-label, randomized, steady-state, six-way cross-over, comparative trial. All subjects received the following regimens: (i) 400 mg of ofloxacin given intravenously (i.v.) every 12 h (q12h), (ii) 400 mg of ciprofloxacin given i.v. q12h, (iii) 400 mg of ofloxacin given i.v. q12h plus 1 g of ceftazidime given i.v. every 8 h (q8h), (iv) 400 mg of ciprofloxacin given i.v. q12h plus 1 g of ceftazidime given i.v. q8h, (v) 400 mg of ofloxacin given i.v. q12h plus 4 g of piperacillin given i.v. q8h, and (vi) 400 mg of ciprofloxacin given i.v. q12h plus 4 g of piperacillin given i.v. q8h. Serum bactericidal titers with subsequent calculation of the area under the bactericidal curve were determined against three clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa. As monotherapy, ciprofloxacin demonstrated superior antipseudomonal activity than ofloxacin did; however, combination of these agents with ceftazidime yielded remarkably similar and statistically comparable activity profiles. In contrast, ciprofloxacin-piperacillin retained a bactericidal advantage over ofloxacin-piperacillin. Although ciprofloxacin exhibits superior antipseudomonal activity when used as monotherapy, combination of ofloxacin or ciprofloxacin with ceftazidime yielded equivalent activity profiles against susceptible strains of P. aeruginosa.

Adult↗

Kinetics of piperacillin and tazobactam in ventricular cerebrospinal fluid of hydrocephalic patients.

Its broad antibacterial spectrum qualifies the combination of piperacillin and tazobactam for therapy of nosocomial bacterial central nervous system (CNS) infections. Since these infections sometimes are accompanied by only minor dysfunction of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier, patients with noninflammatory occlusive hydrocephalus who had undergone external ventriculostomy were studied (n = 9; age range, 48 to 75 years). After administration of the first dose of piperacillin (6 g)-tazobactam (0.5 g) over 30 min intravenously, serum and CSF were drawn repeatedly and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetics were determined by noncompartmental analysis. Maximum concentrations of piperacillin in CSF ranged from 8.67 to <0.37 mg/liter (median, 3.42 mg/liter), and those of tazobactam ranged from 1.37 to 0.11 mg/liter (median, 0.45 mg/liter). CSF maxima were observed, in median, 1.5 and 2 h after the end of the infusion. Elimination in CSF was considerably slower than in serum (median half-life at beta phase for piperacillin, 5.9 h in CSF versus 1.47 h in serum; for tazobactam, 6.1 h versus 1.34 h). For tazobactam, the ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) in CSF to the AUC in serum was approximately three times as high as that for piperacillin (medians, 0.106 versus 0.034). In view of the tazobactam concentrations in CSF observed in this study, the practice of using a constant concentration of 4 mg of tazobactam per liter for MIC determination is inadequate for intracranial infections. Larger amounts of tazobactam than the standard dose of 0.5 g three times daily may be necessary for CNS infections.

Aged↗

Reactivity of platelia Aspergillus galactomannan antigen with piperacillin-tazobactam: clinical implications based on achievable concentrations in serum.

The possible reactivities of commonly used antibiotics of fungal, nonfungal, and nonmicrobial or synthetic sources with the Platelia Aspergillus galactomannan assay were assessed. For drugs that tested positive, the minimal concentration of the antibiotic in serum that yielded a positive test (index, >0.5) was determined. At undiluted concentrations, piperacillin and multiple lots of piperacillin-tazobactam tested positive, whereas amoxicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, nafcillin, cefazolin, ceftazidime, erythromycin, gentamicin, and levofloxacin tested negative. All three lots of piperacillin-tazobactam and all bags within each lot tested positive, with a mean index value of 5.168. At achievable concentrations in serum, however, only one of three lots of piperacillin-tazobactam yielded a positive test. Concentrations of 75, 150, and 300 microg/ml of serum tested positive with the Platelia Aspergillus enzyme immunoassay, whereas lower concentrations, mimicking the trough levels, tested negative. Thus, while achievable serum piperacillin-tazobactam concentrations may potentially result in a positive test for galactomannan, the timing of the collection of serum samples from patients may influence the test results, with reactivity being less likely in samples collected at trough levels or prior to the administration of a dose of the antibiotic.

Antigens, Fungal↗

Biliary excretion of piperacillin.

1. The excretion of piperacillin sodium in bile was studied after intravenous injection of 2 g (n = 5) and 4 g (n = 7). All patients had undergone cholecystectomy and exploration of the common bile duct for cholelithiasis. Bile, serum and urine concentrations were measured by a microbiological technique. 2. Peak concentrations of piperacillin were found in bile at 150 minutes after 4 g and at 210 minutes after 2 g. 3. Both the concentration of piperacillin in bile at the end of a 6 1/2 hour study and the calculated mean bile concentration of piperacillin were above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of this drug for organisms commonly found in acute biliary tract infections. We believe piperacillin may be useful in the management of such conditions.

Adolescent↗

An observational study on the epidemiology of respiratory tract bacterial pathogens and their susceptibility to four injectable beta-lactam antibiotics: piperacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, ceftazidime and ceftriaxone.

Bacterial infections of the respiratory tract account for a large proportion of total medical consultations in general practice. In recent years, antibiotic resistance has increased alarmingly in a number of bacterial species that are common causes of these infections. The aim of this observational study was to determine the antibiotic resistance of microbial agents isolated from patients with acute or acutely exacerbated respiratory infections. Subjects recruited as potential sources of bacteria were either outpatients seen in a number of specialized clinics and hospital practices, or hospitalized patients. Overall, 648 consecutive patients (67% male, mean age 48.1+/-27.0 years) with infection of the upper or lower respiratory tract were observed during a 13-month period. A total of 551 pathogenic microbial strains were isolated and tested for their in vitro susceptibility to piperacillin, piperacillin/tazobactam, ceftazidime, and ceftriaxone. Among all isolates, the four most frequent pathogens were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (132 isolates, 24%), Streptococcus pyogenes (99 isolates, 18%), Staphylococcus aureus (93 isolates, 17%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (46 isolates, 8%). The susceptibility of gram-positive isolates ranged from 97.5% to 95.1%, and no remarkable difference was found in the antibacterial activity of tested b-lactam antibiotics. The susceptibility of gram-negative isolates to piperacillin and piperacillin/tazobactam was also similar: 96.5% and 97.1%, respectively. In contrast, differences were found between piperacillin (or piperacillin/tazobactam) and either ceftazidime (p=0.003) or ceftriaxone (p<0.0003) in gram-negative isolates. We conclude that, despite the extensive use of beta-lactam antibiotics (piperacillin, ceftazidime, and ceftriaxone) in medical practice during the past three decades, the susceptibility of the most common pathogens involved in the etiology of upper and lower respiratory tract infections to these antibiotics is still high. In particular, bacterial resistance developed by gram-positive organisms against piperacillin is negligible and not alarming.

Adolescent↗

Comparative in vitro activity of ticarcillin, piperacillin, azlocillin and mezlocillin.

The in vitro activity of ticarcillin, piperacillin, azlocillin and mezlocillin was determined against 403 clinical isolates. At MIC50, piperacillin was 2 to 8 times more active than the other three compounds against Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Citrobacter, Acinetobacter and Salmonella species. Against Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Haemophilus, Bacteroides spp. and non-beta-lactamase producing Staphylococcus aureus the activity of piperacillin was similar to one or more of the most effective agents. However, azlocillin and mezlocillin were more active than piperacillin against enterococci. Ticarcillin was the least active in vitro. Despite these significant differences at MIC50 amongst the four compounds, they became much less discernible at MIC90, obviously due to beta-lactamase producing strains under study. The spectrum of activity of piperacillin encompasses those of azlocillin and mezlociLlin together except for Gram-positive organisms.

Azlocillin↗

Piperacillin induced bone marrow suppression: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Piperacillin (and piperacillin/tazobactam) is a commonly prescribed antibiotic and is generally considered safe. We report a case of piperacillin induced bone marrow suppression. CASE PRESENTATION: A 19-year-old boy was being treated with piperacillin followed by piperacillin/tazobactam for infected pancreatic pseudocyst. After 21 days of treatment, he developed neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. These reversed promptly after stopping piperacillin/tazobactam. The time course of events suggested that piperacillin was the cause of bone marrow suppression in this patient. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow suppression is a serious adverse effect of piperacillin, which should be kept in mind while treating patients with this drug.

Adult↗

Stability of piperacillin and ticarcillin in AutoDose infusion system bags.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the physical and chemical stability of piperacillin sodium 3 and 4 g/100 mL and ticarcillin disodium 3 g/100 mL each admixed in NaCl 0.9% injection packaged in AutoDose Infusion System bags. DESIGN: Triplicate test samples of the penicillin antibiotics in NaCl 0.9% injection were packaged in ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) plastic containers, AutoDose bags, designed for use in the AutoDose Infusion System. Samples were stored protected from light and evaluated at appropriate intervals for up to seven days at 23 degrees C and up to 30 days at 4 degrees C. Physical stability was assessed using turbidimetric and particulate measurement as well as visual inspection. Chemical stability was assessed by HPLC. RESULTS: All of the penicillin admixtures initially were clear when viewed in normal fluorescent room light and with a Tyndall beam. Measured turbidity and particulate content were low initially and exhibited little change in the ticarcillin disodium samples throughout the study. The piperacillin sodium samples exhibited small increases in measured haze throughout the study, but no accompanying increase in particulates > or = 1.04 microm was found. All samples were essentially colorless throughout the study. HPLC analysis found some decomposition in the samples. Piperacillin sodium exhibited a 9-10% loss after five days at 23 degrees C. In the samples stored at 4 degrees C, piperacillin sodium exhibited acceptable stability through 21 days of storage, but losses exceeded 10% after 30 days. Ticarcillin disodium exhibited a 7% loss after three days, but 14% after five days at 23 degrees C. Less than 7% loss occurred after 21 days, but 12% loss after 30 days at 4 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: Piperacillin sodium and ticarcillin disodium exhibited physical and chemical stability consistent with previous studies on these drugs. The AutoDose Infusion System bags were not found to adversely affect the physical and chemical stability of these penicillin antibiotics.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Isolated severe thrombocytopenia and bleeding caused by piperacillin.

Bleeding and severe thrombocytopenia developed in a 71-year-old man who had been receiving piperacillin 5 g intravenously every 8 h for 9 days for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia. After piperacillin was discontinued, the platelet counts became normal. Rechallenge was made with 2 g of piperacillin intravenously resulting in thrombocytopenia within 6 h of piperacillin administration. The platelet count normalized after 3 days when no further piperacillin was given.

Aged↗

Piperacillin to prevent cholangitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. A randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cholangitis does not often occur after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), but it can be a serious complication of this procedure. Antibiotic prophylaxis is therefore frequently used in patients having ERCP, but existing data are insufficient to allow evaluation of the effectiveness of this practice. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis with piperacillin for ERCP-induced cholangitis. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Tertiary referral center for ERCP. PATIENTS: Patients who had ERCP for suspected biliary tract stones or distal common bile duct stricture were eligible. Major exclusion criteria were previous ERCP within 7 days, biliary endoprosthesis in situ, and use of antimicrobial agents or presence of fever within 7 days before the procedure. INTERVENTION: Piperacillin, 4 g, or placebo was given intravenously approximately 30 minutes before ERCP. MEASUREMENTS: Duration of follow-up was 1 week. Acute cholangitis was diagnosed if a patient had a body temperature greater than 38 degrees C, a clinically apparent need for antibiotic treatment, and no symptoms indicating infection outside of the biliary tree. RESULTS: 551 consecutive patients were enrolled. During ERCP, stones were found in 147 patients, malignant distal strictures were found in 203 patients, other pathologic findings were seen in 88 patients, and normal biliary tracts were seen in 113 patients. Seventeen of the 281 patients who received placebo (6.0%) and 12 of the 270 patients who received piperacillin (4.4%) developed acute cholangitis (relative risk, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.36 to 1.51]). The absolute risk reduction was 1.6% (CI, -5.3% to 2.1%). All cases of cholangitis (with the exception of one case seen in a patient in the piperacillin group) were mild or moderate in severity. CONCLUSION: Single-dose prophylaxis with piperacillin is not associated with a clinically significant reduction in the incidence of acute cholangitis after ERCP in patients suspected of having biliary tract stones or distal common bile duct stricture.

Adult↗

Retrospective evaluation of piperacillin use in a university hospital.

A retrospective review was conducted to evaluate the appropriateness of empiric and definitive piperacillin use and to determine if less expensive, more appropriate antibiotics could have been used. The criteria were approved by the chief of infectious diseases and the drug utilization review committee at this institution. One hundred courses of piperacillin use in adult patients were reviewed. Therapy was categorized as appropriate in 78 of the 100 courses: 21 were appropriate empiric, 32 were appropriate empiric changed to definitive due to culture and sensitivity reports, and 25 were appropriate definitive. Reasons for this high percentage of appropriate use include: 1) 40% of the infections involved Pseudomonas aeruginosa; 2) 18% of the organisms that were sensitive to piperacillin were resistant to ticarcillin and mezlocillin; and 3) 64% of the courses of therapy involved critically ill patients with diagnoses such as neutropenia secondary to cancer chemotherapy, burns, sepsis, and hospital-acquired pneumonia. Although only 19.7% of the 11,845 grams of piperacillin used were categorized as inappropriate, the cost is relatively high (annualized to $19,648) and cost savings could be realized if piperacillin use were monitored more closely.

Adolescent↗

Compatibility and stability of linezolid injection admixed with aztreonam or piperacillin sodium.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the physical compatibility and chemical stability of linezolid (Zyvox-Pharmacia) 200 mg/100 mL admixed with aztreonam (Azactam-Squibb) 2 grams and separately with piperacillin sodium (Pipracil-Lederle) 3 grams over 7 days at 4 degrees C and 23 degrees C. DESIGN: Controlled experimental trial. SETTING: Laboratory. INTERVENTIONS: Test samples were prepared by adding the required amount of aztreonam or piperacillin sodium to separate bags of linezolid injection 200 mg/100 mL. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical compatibility and chemical stability based on drug concentrations initially and after 1, 3, 5, and 7 days of storage at 4 degrees C and 23 degrees C. RESULTS: All of the linezolid admixtures with aztreonam and with piperacillin sodium were clear when viewed in normal fluorescent room light and with a Tyndall beam. Measured turbidity and particulate content were low and exhibited little change throughout the study at both storage temperatures. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis found little or no loss of linezolid in any sample stored at either temperature throughout the study. Aztreonam in the linezolid admixtures was stable for 7 days, exhibiting less than 5% loss at 4 degrees C and 9% loss at 23 degrees C. Piperacillin sodium in the linezolid admixtures was stable for 7 days at 4 degrees C, exhibiting no loss, but was stable for only 3 days at 23 degrees C with losses of about 5%. Losses had increased to 9% to 12% after 5 days of storage at room temperature. CONCLUSION: Admixtures of linezolid 200 mg/100 mL with aztreonam 2 grams or piperacillin sodium 3 grams were physically compatible and chemically stable for at least 7 days stored at 4 degrees C and for 7 days or 3 days, respectively, at 23 degrees C.

Acetamides↗

Antimicrobial activities of piperacillin alone and in combination with tazobactam against beta-lactamase-producing bacteria.

Tazobactam (YTR 830), a new beta-lactamase inhibitor, was evaluated for its effect in combination with piperacillin, a broad spectrum, but beta-lactamase sensitive, penicillin, against 14 common bacteria. A total of 1,086 clinical isolates from different clinical specimens were tested for beta-lactamase production by the rapid chromogenic cephalosporin method. Their susceptibilities to piperacillin alone and in combination with tazobactam in a ratio of 8:1 by the agar dilution method were evaluated. The percentage of beta-lactamase producing strains ranged from 14.5% to 100% in these tested species. In general, the beta-lactamase producers were more resistant to piperacillin than the beta-lactamase nonproducers with higher minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). For the beta-lactamase producers, tazobactam decreased the MICs of piperacillin prominently in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii, Salmonella species and Bacteroides fragilis, with a 4-fold or greater decrease in MIC50, MIC90 and the geometric mean of MIC. For Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the MICs did not change after adding tazobactam. For other species, there was a moderate decrease in MICs. We conclude that tazobactam is an effective beta-lactamase inhibitor for increasing the antimicrobial activity of piperacillin against beta-lactamase producing strains of many species of bacteria.

Ampicillin Resistance↗

[Empirical treatment of febrile episodes in granulocytopenic patients with a combination of piperacillin and ofloxacin. Preliminary study].

We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of piperacillin-ofloxacin as an empiric treatment of fever in patients with neutropenia. 24 febrile episodes occurring in 21 patients (mean neutropenia: 204/mm3) were treated. The neutropenia was due to an hematologic malignancy in 6 cases and to chemotherapy in 15 cases. Fever was related to septicemia in 4 cases, urinary tract infection in 1 case, other infectious sites without microbiological documentation in 11 cases, and was of unknown origin in 8 cases. Empirical therapy was started within 24 hours of the occurrence of fever greater than 38.5 degrees C with the combination of intravenous piperacillin (12 g/day in 3 divided doses) and oral ofloxacin (400 mg/day in 2 doses). The overall response rate was 86% (19/22) of evaluable cases, with an immediate success rate (apyrexia within 48 hours) of 46%. Of the 3 failures, one was bacteriologically documented and was due to a multiply resistant strain of Staphylococcus haemolyticus (to which both piperacillin and ofloxacin were resistant). The therapy was clinically well tolerated in all except 3 patients, in whom intolerance to intravenous piperacillin was observed, leading to discontinuation of the drug in 2 cases. More extensive and comparative trials should better determine the place of this piperacillin-ofloxacin combination as first-line treatment of febrile episodes in patients with neutropenia.

Adult↗

[In vitro comparative study of piperacillin-aminoglycosides combinations against Enterococci and Enterobacteriaceae].

The hundred and ninety-two combinations were tested against 17 strains chosen from the results of MIC determination (disc method): 5 enterococci exhibiting low level resistance (r) or high level resistance (R) to streptomycin (S) and gentamicin (G): 2 strains Sr Gr, 2 strains SR Gr and 1 strain Sr GR; 12 enterobacteria chosen for their resistance phenotypes to beta-lactams and aminoglycosides and because they are the most frequent clinical isolates: 2 strains Amos Tics Ctns (group 1), 4 strains AmoR Tics CtnR (gr. II), 4 strains AmoR TicR Ctns (gr. III) and 2 strains AmoR TicR CtnR (gr. IV). MIC and MBC were assessed for the 17 strains (Mueller Hinton broth). Combinations were carried out by a checkerboard micromethod. FBC index was calculated for each combination. Against enterococci the 50 combinations were: piperacillin versus ampicillin + aminoglycosides (streptomycin, tobramycin, amikacin, gentamicin, netilmicin). Against enterobacteria piperacillin was combined with different aminoglycosides depending on their resistance phenotypes. These combinations were compared with ticarcillin or mezlocillin or cefotaxime + aminoglycosides (total number 142). The species studied produced different results: with the enterococci Gr synergistic effects (FBC = 0.62-0.75) were rare; additive and indifferent effects were predominant. With the GR strain some antagonistic effects were observed. With the enterobacteria, in groups I and II synergistic effects were frequent and almost equivalent regardless of the beta-lactam chosen. In groups III and IV (TicR) piperacillin MICs were greater than or equal to 128 mg/l and mezlocillin MICs greater than 512 mg/l; the synergistic effects were significant (FBC from 0.25 to 0.62). beta-lactam + amikacin or netilmicin, and especially piperacillin + amikacin, were found to have the most frequent synergistic effects upon the strains tested. Mezlocillin combinations cannot be used clinically; the use of piperacillin combinations requires further discussion. On the other hand, cefotaxime + aminoglycosides combinations are active against those TicR strains.

Aminoglycosides↗

[Effectiveness of piperacillin in the antibacterial treatment of intra-abdominal infections in children].

The effectiveness of piperacillin was investigated in 30 children operated upon for peritonitis: 13 had acute appendicitis with puriform peritoneal reaction, or a recently perforated appendix; 5 had generalized peritonitis of appendicular origin, and 13 had intraperitoneal abscess. In the 12 children who underwent right iliac appendicectomy (with post-operative drainage in 3), piperacillin was administered alone during 5 days; clinical and bacteriological cure was obtained in all cases; the mean duration of stay in hospital was 7 days. The 5 cases of generalized peritonitis required drainage; piperacillin was given alone in 4 of them and combined with an aminoglycoside and metronidazole in one who was in poor general condition. Bacteriology showed a predominance of Escherichia coli alone or associated with other organisms. Clinical and bacteriological cure was obtained in 3 patients; the mean duration of stay in hospital was 12 days. Seven of the 13 cases of intraperitoneal abscess needed drainage. Piperacillin was administered alone for 7 days on average in 10 cases and combined with an aminoglycoside and metronidazole in 2 cases. Eight patients had a favourable course, 5 developed complications. In all 3 groups piperacillin was tell tolerated. A patch of urticaria was noted in 2 cases and a transient skin rash in 2 other cases. No neutropenia was observed in these children whose treatment never exceeded 10 days.

Abscess↗

[Can piperacillin modify the experimental nephrotoxicity of gentamicin?].

A synergistic effect of antibacterial activity has been demonstrated with piperacillin combined with an aminoglycoside. Four groups of 30 female Wistar rats were injected daily for 14 days with either gentamicin 50 mg/kg, or piperacillin 1,000 mg/kg, or both drugs combined; the control group received sodium chloride in solution. In all groups, creatinine clearance, lysosomal structural latency and renal cortex enzyme activities (alanine-aminopeptidase, N-acetyl beta D-glucosaminidase, sphingomyelinase, cathepsin B) were measured on days 2, 4, 7, 10 and 14 of treatment. Renal cortex concentrations of gentamicin were measured in the group that received gentamicin alone and in the group treated with both piperacillin and gentamicin. The renal functional changes usually induced by aminoglycosides were observed. Piperacillin administered alone reduced creatinine clearance and alanine-aminopeptidase activity. The piperacillin-gentamicin combination proved unable to prevent the fall in creatinine clearance; it also reduced the alanine-aminopeptidase, sphingomyelinase and cathepsin B activities, but the reduction was less pronounced than that induced by gentamicin alone.

Animals↗

A double-blind, controlled comparison of piperacillin and cefoxitin in the prevention of postoperative infection in patients undergoing cesarean section.

Data are presented from a randomized, double-blind multicenter trial (six study sites, involving 346 patients) in which piperacillin was compared with cefoxitin as a prophylactic agent for patients undergoing cesarean section. One hundred and sixty-nine patients received piperacillin and 177 received cefoxitin; in each instance, the total dosage was 6 grams. Strict criteria were used to evaluate safety and efficacy. The courses of all of the patients were evaluable for safety and 183 courses were evaluable for efficacy (136 efficacy-evaluable courses were from patients treated with piperacillin and 147, from those treated with cefoxitin). Postoperative infection was prevented in 89 per cent of the patients treated with piperacillin and in 93 per cent of the those treated with cefoxitin. The difference was not statistically significant. The data from each of the individual study sites, as well as the pooled data, indicated that the short term perioperative administration of piperacillin in patients undergoing a cesarean section was as safe and effective as cefoxitin with regard to prophylactic response, duration of hospitalization and the usage of other systemic antibiotics.

Adolescent↗