Therapy of serious infections with cefamandole.

Forty-four patients with serious bacterial infections were treated with cefamandole in a dose 1--2 g every four to six hours. Thirty-two patients were cured and six were markedly improved. Three of six failures were due to superinfection with cephalothin-resistant microorganisms. The over-all bacteriologic response was 80%. In 12 of 13 patients with bacteremia the blood was sterilized. Ten of 14 patients with gram-negative bacillary infections responded to treatment. Six of these were due to cephalothin-resistant microorganisms, three of which responded. Fifteen patients who were treated had a history of penicillin allergy. There were no serious reactions although skin rash did develop. Phlebitis was uncommon.