Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (2000) 45, 213-216
© 2000 The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Penetration of cefpirome into the anterior chamber of the human eye after intravenous application
a Department of Ophthalmology, County Hospital of Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstrasse 48, A-5020 Salzburg; b Department of Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy, Internal Medicine I, University of Vienna, Vienna; and c Department of Ophthalmology, Sanatorium Hera, Vienna, Austria
The penetration of intravenously administered cefpirome into the anterior chamber of the non-inflamed human eye was investigated in this study. A total of 42 patients, all hospitalized for cataract extraction, received a dosage of 1 g or 2 g of cefpirome by iv infusion 1, 2 or 6 h preoperatively. An aqueous humour sample was collected immediately after paracentesis and a blood specimen was simultaneously obtained from each patient. All samples were analysed for cefpirome concentrations using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Mean aqueous humour levels of cefpirome in patients receiving a dosage of 1 g were 1.33 mg/L (1 h), 1.67 mg/L (2 h) and 1.29 mg/L (6 h after application), respectively. When patients received a dosage of 2 g cefpirome the resulting mean aqueous humour concentrations were 1.60 mg/L (1 h), 2.27 mg/L (2 h) and 2.39 mg/L (6 h after application), respectively. A statistically significant difference in aqueous humour concentrations between patients receiving 1 g or 2 g of cefpirome could not be proven. In conclusion, cefpirome penetrates well into the anterior chamber of the non-inflamed human eye in concentrations that are therapeutic for many Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, frequently responsible for anterior segment eye infections.
* Corresponding author. Tel: +43-662-4482-3702; Fax: +43-662-4482-3703; E-mail: S.Egger{at}lkasbg.gv.at