Efficacy and safety of intravenous meropenem and tobramycin versus ceftazidime and tobramycin in cystic fibrosis

AbstractBackgroundCystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by chronic bacterial broncho-pulmonary infection. Although intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy is regarded as standard treatment in CF, only few randomised trials comparing different antibiotic compounds exist.MethodsWe report on a prospective multicenter interventional trial of IV meropenem (120 mg/kg/day) or IV ceftazidime (200–400 mg/kg/day), each administered together with IV tobramycin (9–12 mg/kg/day). Outcome measures were changes in lung function, microbiological sputum burden and blood inflammatory marker. Liver and renal function values were measured to assess safety.ResultsOne hundred eighteen patients (59/59) were included into the study with the following indications: first infection of P. aeruginosa (n=6), acute pulmonary exacerbation (n=34) and suppression therapy of chronic P. aeruginosa colonization (n=78). Both treatments improved lung function measures, bacterial sputum burden and CRP levels with no differences between treatment groups observed. A significant higher elevation for alkaline phosphatase (p