A comparison of ceftazidime and tobramycin in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections

Abstract

Sixty-two patients with complicated urinary tract infections were treated by random allocation with either ceftazidime (0.5 g every 12 h) or tobramycin (3 mg/kg/day). All patients had underlying urological conditions and a urinary tract infection with an organism sensitive to both ceftazidime and tobramycin. Thirty-two patients received tobramycin and 30 patients received ceftazidime. Thirty-two of the infections were caused by Pseudomonas spp., 16 by Escherichia coli, and the remainder by various Gram-negative organisms. Cure rates were approximately 85% in both treatment groups and side effects were minimal.