Emerging Infectious Diseases (May 2002)

Cefepime MIC as a Predictor of the Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Type in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Taiwan

  • Wen Leong Yu,
  • Michael A. Pfaller,
  • Patricia L. Winokur,
  • Ronald N. Jones

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0805.010346
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 5
pp. 522 – 524

Abstract

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To guide selection of carbapenems or fourth-generation cephalosporins as therapy, 110 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates with extended-spectrum β-lactamases from Taiwan were characterized by phenotypic (MICs), molecular, and chemical methods. MIC patterns of ceftazidime and cefepime clearly differentiate strains treatable by cefepime and those capable of efficiently hydrolyzing available cephalosporins (CTX-M series and SHV-types). Continued use of cefepime appears to be a treatment option in cases for which MIC results are available and interpreted by the criteria presented.

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