Comparison of the antimicrobial activity and beta-lactamase resistance of cef otiam (CGP/14221 E) with that of cefotaxime, cefuroxime, cefoxitin and cephalothin

SummaryA study was carried out to compare the minimum inhibitory concentrations of cefotiam, cefotaxime, cefuroxime, cefoxitin and cephalothin against 355 strains of Gram-negative bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Cefotiam was shown to be more active than cefuroxime, cefoxitin and cephalothin and equal to or slightly less active than cefotaxime. Study of the minimum bactericidal concentrations of cefotiam showed that the time required for eradication of the micro-organisms was rapid. It was found that cefotiam, cefotaxime, cefuroxime and cefoxitin were resistant to the hydrolysis caused by the constitutive beta-lactamases studied.