Clinical evaluation of combination therapy with aspoxicillin and ceftazidime for severe infections complicating hematological disorders

Clinical effects of a combination therapy using aspoxicillin (ASPC) and ceftazidime (CAZ) were investigated in 88 patients with severe infections which were complicating hematological disorders. ASPC and CAZ were administered intravenously at daily doses of 8 g and 4 to 6 g, respectively, in 2 to 4 divided doses for at least 3 days. The treatment was markedly effective in 20 cases; effective in 31; fairly effective in 4; and ineffective in 33 cases. Seventy-seven patients with whom detailed data were obtained showed an efficacy rate of 63.6%. Bacteria were detected in 9 patients, from whom 10 strains were isolated. The results of bacteriological effects were: 3 strains disappeared, 1 decreased, 3 unchanged, and 3 unclear. The bacteriological eradication rate was 42.9%. Of the detected 10 strains, 3 were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with 2 of the 3 strains eradicated and 1 decreased. An evaluation of the relationship between clinical efficacies and neutrophil counts before and after the ASPC-CAZ combination therapy showed that the patients with 500/mm3 or higher neutrophil counts before the therapy or those with increased neutrophils after the therapy tended to be more responsive to the therapy. Side effects were observed in 4 patients, but all of them disappeared upon discontinuation of the therapy. The combination therapy with ASPC and CAZ appears to be useful for the treatment of severe infections complicating hematological disorders.