A comparison of azlocillin and gentamicin in the treatment of serious infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

A randomized controlled clinical trial to compare the efficacy and safety of azlocillin and gentamicin was conducted in 42 patients with serious infections, primarily of the skin or skin structure and lower respiratory tract. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from each of the 25 infection sites in the azlocillin group and 18 in the gentamicin group; most of the sites were also infected by other pathogens. After a mean of 13 days of treatment with azlocillin at 18 g/day, a good clinical response was attained in 96% of the cases, and nearly 90% of the causative organisms were eradicated. In the gentamicin group, administration of 180 mg/day for a mean of 11 days provided a good clinical response in 95% of the cases, and eradication of 92% of the causative pathogens.