Use of cefepime for the treatment of infections caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli.

An investigation to determine the efficacy of cefepime in treating infections caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains of Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli was performed. Retrospective chart reviews were conducted on patients who received cefepime and had an ESBL-producing E. coli or K. pneumoniae isolated from a clinical specimen. Among 13 patients with 15 episodes and 17 sites of infection, there were 12 episodic clinical cures, 1 clinical improvement, and 2 failures. Bacteriologic eradication of the infecting organism from the original clinical site was seen in 11 of the episodes with an additional presumed eradication. Cefepime is a potential alternative, in many cases, to the carbapenems for the treatment of infections caused by ESBL-producing bacteria.