[DRG and infections of the urinary tract in pediatrics]. / DRG ed infezione delle vie urinarie in pediatria.

The aim of this study was the evaluation of admissions in 1995 in the two public hospitals of Verona (Azienda Ospedaliera di Verona) ascribed to the DRG 322 (urinary tract infections from birth to 17 years). Seventy-six patients with actual diagnosis of urinary tract infection were evaluated. The coefficient of variation of hospitalization for the DRG 322 was 52%, attesting a good grade of internal homogeneity. A more detailed subdivision of the DRG 322 on the basis of age is required in pediatric patients.

[Ceftazidime in common infections in childhood. Experience in 262 cases]. / Il ceftazidime nelle comune infezioni in età pediatrica. Esperienza di 262 casi.

We analyzed the clinical data collected from an open multicentre study (in 40 Hospital and University centres) with aim to evaluate clinical and bacteriological efficacy and safety of Ceftazidime (CTZ) in common infections of pediatric patients. The data were from 262 patients (137 M, 125 F) mean age 5.13 +/- 3.65 yrs (range 3 m. to 12 yrs). 158 pts with low respiratory tract infection, 32 pts. with upper respiratory tract infection and 72 pts. with urinary tract infection, were treated with CTZ (dose 50 mg/kg/die; i.v. or i.m.) for a mean of 9.4 days. The overall success rate was 96.2% (76.7% cured + 19.5% improved). In the evaluable cases (108) the bacteriological eradication rate was 92.18%. The safety of CTZ was good; adverse events (2 rash and 1 diarrhoea) were observed only in 3 patients. All events had moderate intensity and did not require drug withdrawal.

[Bacterial infections. Progress and new prospects in chemo-antibiotic therapy]. / Le infezioni batteriche. Progressi e nuove prospettive in chemioantibiotico-terapia.

During the last 10 years, a very large number of molecules with antibacterial activity has been developed by pharmaceutic industry. The principal objectives of pharmacological research are to obtain ever wider spectra of activity and increased antibacterial action in order to combat "emerging" agents and those resistant to traditional treatment, as well as longer acting drugs so as to improve patient compliance. These objectives might be attained by the molecules now in the phase of clinical trial, especially by the new injectable or oral cephalosporins and new fluoroquinolones.

Pharmacokinetics of a new oral antibacterial agent, ofloxacin, in dentistry and oral surgery.

The new oral antibacterial agent, ofloxacin, was administered for prophylactic purposes to a group of 12 patients with dental and oral inflammatory processes requiring oral surgery. Drug concentrations in serum, saliva and gingival mucosa were assayed at different times after administration of the drug. Good serum, salivary and gingival mucosal tissue concentrations were achieved.

Safety profile of ofloxacin in elderly patients.

In clinical trials co-ordinated in Italy by Glaxo S.p.A. from May 1984 to February 1988, 553 patients aged over 65 years (376 men and 177 women), suffering from different infectious diseases (mostly LRTI and UTI), were treated with ofloxacin, a new broad-spectrum quinolone. Of the patients studied, 75% presented one or more concurrent diseases and 72.3% were receiving one or more concurrent therapies. Daily dose of the drug varied, in most cases, between 400 and 800 mg in two oral administrations. In all, 21 adverse events were recorded in 19 patients (3.44%): 13 gastrointestinal events (gastric pain, nausea, vomiting), 3 cutaneous events and 5 others. The severity of the events was judged as mild in 56.3% of the cases and moderate in 43.7%. The treatment was stopped because of adverse events in three patients (0.54%). Abnormal laboratory parameters, probably related to the drug, were observed in four patients. In conclusion, ofloxacin appears to be a very safe drug in the treatment of bacterial infections in elderly patients.

Use of ceftazidime in the treatment of osteomyelitis and osteoarthritis.

The authors report the results obtained with the use of ceftazidime, administered by various methods, in 18 cases of orthopedic infections (osteomyelitis, arthritis). The results, which are regarded as good, are stable over time. The antibiotic therapy proves particularly efficacious in those cases subjected to appropriate surgical treatment.

Ceftazidime in pediatric infections unsuccessfully treated with other antibiotics: an evaluation of its efficacy and tolerability in compromised host.

Ceftazidime (C) is a cephalosporine active against Gram-positive and especially negative bacteria. The aim of the study was to evaluate efficacy and tolerance of C in the treatment of children suffering from infections previously treated unsuccessfully with different antibiotics. We examined 20 children, administering a dosage of C 30 to 100 mg/kg intravenously or intramuscularly for a mean treatment duration of 8.6 days. A favorable response was observed in all the children: of the 20 patients 13 were cured and 7 improved. A transient elevation of liver enzymes was noted in three children. The study confirms the efficacy of C in the treatment of severe infections. Since 9 of the 20 patients were neonates, we suggest the possible role of C in the newborns' infections.

Safety profile of ofloxacin: the Italian data base.

In clinical trials performed in Italy, 2,003 patients, suffering from various infectious diseases, have so far been treated with ofloxacin. In most cases dosages of 200 mg, 300 mg or 400 mg b. i. d. have been used. In all, 130 adverse reactions have been recorded in 116 patients (5.8%): gastrointestinal events (mostly nausea, vomiting and gastric pain) in 4.8% of the patients, neurological events (mostly headache and insomnia) in 0.7%, cutaneous reactions in 0.4% and others in 0.5% cases. The drug-event causal relationship was assessed by the investigators as unlikely in 5.0% of the events, as possible in 47.1%, as probable in 31.4% and as almost certain in 16.5%. The severity of adverse reactions was judged as mild in 55% of the cases, as moderate in 38% and as severe in 7%. In 30 patients (1.5%), treatment was discontinued because of occurrence of side effects. Abnormal laboratory values probably related to treatment were reported in 25 patients (2.1%). Ofloxacin is well tolerated and shows a safety profile comparable with that of the best tolerated oral antibacterials.

Ceftazidime pharmacokinetics in preterm newborns on the first day of life.

Ceftazidime pharmacokinetics were studied in 13 preterm newborns requiring antibiotic treatment, following intramuscular administration of a 50 mg/kg dose in the first 24 hours of life. The main pharmacokinetic parameters (peak concentration, time to reach peak, plasma half-life, area under the curve, elimination constant, distribution volume and plasma clearance) were determined directly from the serum concentrations observed. The clinical and bacteriological response to ceftazidime treatment was good; no side effects or alterations of biohumoral parameters were noted.