Antibacterial activity of cefpirome against clinically isolated strains in pediatric patients

The antibacterial activity of a new cephem, cefpirome, was evaluated in comparison with those of other antimicrobial agents against 425 aerobic Gram-positive and negative bacteria isolated from infections in pediatric patients. 1) As to Gram-positive cocci, cefpirome showed antibacterial activity equivalent or superior to those of existing cephems against streptococci, and similar activity to that of first-generation cephems against methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative streptococci. Against methicillin-resistant S. aureus, cefpirome showed antibacterial activity equivalent or superior to those of existing third-generation cephems. Against Enterococcus faecalis cefpirome showed comparatively good antibacterial activity among cephems, but was inferior to penicillins. 2) As to Gram-negative bacilli, cefpirome showed antibacterial activity equivalent or superior to existing third-generation cephems, and against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, its activity was almost equivalent to that of piperacillin though inferior to those of ceftazidime, aztreonam and imipenem.