A Comparison of High Pressure Liquid Chromatography and Microbiological Assays for Ceftazidime

Ceftazidime is an investigational cephalosporin antibiotic with a broad spectrum of activity. In early in vitro studies, antibacterial activity has been demonstrated against most aeorbic gram-negative organism, including Pseudomonas aeriginosa. Before the pharmacokinetics of a new antibiotic such as ceftazidime can be adequately described, an accurate and reliable drug assay must be developed. Two methods currently available for ceftazidime determination include microbiological and high-pressure liquid chromatographic assays. The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of an HPLC assay with a microbiological assay in the determination of a serum ceftazidime concentrations.