Basic and clinical studies on FK037 in respiratory infection

We performed basic and clinical studies on FK037, a new parenteral cephalosporin antibiotic, and the following results were obtained. 1) Antimicrobial activity: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of FK037 against a total of 302 clinically isolated strains of 13 species were measured and compared with those of five cephalosporins (ceftazidime, flomoxef, ceftizoxime, cefpirome, cefepime) and one carbapenem (imipenem) using the MIC 2000 System (Dynatech Laboratories). FK037 provided a stronger bactericidal activity than ceftazidime, ceftizoxime and cefepime, and equaled to or was stronger than flomoxef and cefpirome in bactericidal activity against grampositive bacteria, and had stronger bactericidal activity than imipenem, and was equal to or stronger than five cephalosporin antibiotics in bactericidal activity against gram-negative bacteria. FK037 had wide bactericidal activity against these clinical isolated strains except methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. 2) Clinical study results: FK037 was administered to 4 patients with pneumonia in daily doses of 1.0g to 4.0g for 7~15 days by drip infusion. Clinical response was excellent in one, good in one and fair in one except unknown in one patient. No objective or subjective side effects related to the antibiotic were noted. Abnormal laboratory changes were observed in 2 cases, but were transient.