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A combination of tobramycin sulfate and cefamandole nafate was used as initial empiric therapy for the treatment of 71 evaluable febrile (temperature greater than 38.5 degrees C) episodes in 64 (neutrophils, less than 1,000/microL) adult patients with cancer and granulocytopenia. Carbenicillin sodium or ticarcillin disodium was substituted for cefamandole in patients with Pseudomonas infections and in patients in whom the initial regimen was unsuccessful. Twenty-nine episodes were randomized to receive tobramycin by continuous infusion, while 42 were randomized to receive tobramycin by interrupted infusion. Twenty-seven (79%) of the 34 documented infections responded to the initial empiric antibiotic combination, ten (83%) of 12 being given continuous infusion and 17 (77%) of 22 being given interrupted infusion of tobramycin. Nephrotoxic reaction occurred in 7% of patients treated with continuous infusion and 15% treated with interrupted infusion, mostly patients older than 60 years. Tobramycin, by either continuous or interrupted infusion, plus cefamandole is safe and efficacious empiric therapy for infections in patients with cancer and granulocytopenia.

The incidence of hypoprothrombinemia (prothrombin time greater than or equal to 2 s above the highest control) associated with concurrent cefamandole nafate usage in our institution was determined. Of 77 patients receiving cefamandole for no less than 48 hours, serial prothrombin time was monitored in 31 (40.2%). Four (12.9%) of 31 in whom a baseline normal prothrombin time was obtained developed hypoprothrombinemia during cefamandole therapy. An additional three patients for whom baseline prothrombin time was not determined were noted to have hypoprothrombinemia during therapy with cefamandole. Two patients had clinically significant bleeding episodes. The prothrombin time normalized in six of seven patients following administration of fresh frozen plasma, phytonadione therapy, discontinuation of cefamandole, or a combination of the three. This study illustrated that the incidence of hypoprothrombinemia associated with concurrent cefamandole use is relatively high. Serial prothrombin time monitoring is indicated when patients receive cefamandole.

Osteomyelitis of the pubic bone due to anaerobic bacteria has been reported infrequently, although an entity known as "sterile" osteitis pubis is common to the literature. We have described two cases of pubic osteomyelitis due to anaerobic bacteria, discussed two previously reported cases, and suggested that most cases of what has previously been termed sterile osteitis pubis may actually have been due to anaerobic bacteria that were not isolated because of deficiencies in collection, transport, and culture of clinical specimens. Included are the pathogenesis and an approach to the treatment of this entity.