Limited Systemic Absorption of Intraperitoneal Ceftizoxime in a Patient with Serratia Marcescens Peritonitis

Ceftizoxime is a third-generation, semisynthetic cephalosporin that has activity against many grampositive and gram-negative micro-organisms. In the treatment of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) peritonitis, ceftizoxime is usually reserved for organisms which show in vitro susceptibility once the organism has been cultured (1). The pharmacokinetics of ceftizoxime have been previously studied in CAPD patients without peritonitis (2). However, there are no pharmacokinetic data or efficacy studies of ceftizoxime in patients with peritonitis. We report dialysate and serum levels following the use of intraperitoneal (IP) ceftizoxime for the treatment of peritonitis caused by Serratia marcescens.