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The efficacy of ceftriaxone, 1 g given intramuscularly once daily, was evaluated in 38 patients with pneumonia (n = 11), pulmonary empyema (n = 2), bronchitis (n = 4), tonsillitis (n = 9), sinusitis (n = 7), and otitis (n = 5). Causative organisms were Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 11), viridans type streptococcus (n = 1), Haemophilus influenzae (n = 6), group A streptococcus (n = 10), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 3), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 2), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 1), Escherichia coli (n = 2), Proteus mirabilis (n = 1), and Proteus vulgaris (n = 1). Sterilization of infected foci was obtained in 89.4% of those treated, with clinical recovery in 86.8%. The ceftriaxone regimen was well tolerated.

The bactericidal quotient (BQ) assessed in the site of infection represents an essential parameter for evaluating the real bactericidal potency of an antibiotic in vivo. The assessment and knowledge of BQ values allow us to set up a more accurate and appropriate antibacterial therapy. The two drugs – ceftriaxone (Rocephin®) and imipenem plus cilastatin (Tienam®) – that have been taken into consideration in this study, having a similar antibacterial spectrum though with different kinetics, may have the same BQ values in bronchial secretion versus Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, when administered at different dosages, i.e. ceftriaxone 1 g (i.v.) every 24 h, imipenem 0.5 g (i.v.) every 8 h.

The effects of miokamycin on the immune system were studied in healthy volunteers by means of the following assays: phagocytosis, intracellular killing and natural killer activity. The tests were performed before, 2 and 6 h after oral administration of 600 mg of miokamycin. The findings suggest that miokamycin stimulates phagocytosis and intracellular killing. These effects could be clearly shown 2 h after drug intake and disappeared at the 6th hour. On the contrary, the natural killer activity was not significantly stimulated by miokamycin.