From the Guidelines
Cefuroxime does cover soft tissue infections, but it is not the first choice of treatment.
Soft Tissue Infections Coverage
- Cefuroxime is a second-generation cephalosporin with activity against Gram-positive and some Gram-negative bacteria, making it suitable for treating soft tissue infections 1.
- However, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines, cefuroxime is not the first choice for treating mild skin and soft tissue infections, with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, dicloxacillin, and cefalexin being preferred options 1.
- For severe infections, such as necrotizing fasciitis, cefuroxime may not be the best option, and other antibiotics like clindamycin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and vancomycin are recommended 1.
- The American College of Physicians recommends using a 5- to 6-day course of antibiotics active against streptococci, such as cephalosporins, for non-purulent cellulitis 1.
Key Points
- Cefuroxime has activity against Gram-positive and some Gram-negative bacteria, making it suitable for soft tissue infections.
- It is not the first choice for mild skin and soft tissue infections, but may be considered for severe infections.
- The choice of antibiotic should be based on the severity of the infection, the suspected causative organism, and local resistance patterns.
From the Research
Cefuroxime Coverage for Soft Tissue Infections
- Cefuroxime is a second-generation cephalosporin with broad antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms 2.
- It has been shown to be effective in treating soft tissue infections, including those caused by Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae 2, 3, 4.
- Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of cefuroxime in treating soft tissue infections, with satisfactory clinical responses reported in 96% of cases 3.
- Cefuroxime has been recommended for the management of community-acquired skin and soft tissue infections by several international bodies, including the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) 5.
- The drug has been shown to distribute into the interstitial space fluid of subcutaneous soft tissues, including muscle and adipose tissue, in morbidly obese patients undergoing abdominal surgery 6.
- Cefuroxime therapy has been found to be safe and effective in pediatric patients with soft tissue infections, including those caused by Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae 4.