Penetration of cefpirome into the anterior chamber of the human eye after intravenous application.

The penetration of intravenously administered cefpirome into the anterior chamber of the non-inflamed human eye was investigated in this study. A total of 42 patients, all hospitalized for cataract extraction, received a dosage of 1 g or 2 g of cefpirome by iv infusion 1, 2 or 6 h preoperatively. An aqueous humour sample was collected immediately after paracentesis and a blood specimen was simultaneously obtained from each patient. All samples were analysed for cefpirome concentrations using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Mean aqueous humour levels of cefpirome in patients receiving a dosage of 1 g were 1.33 mg/L (1 h), 1.67 mg/L (2 h) and 1.29 mg/L (6 h after application), respectively. When patients received a dosage of 2 g cefpirome the resulting mean aqueous humour concentrations were 1.60 mg/L (1 h), 2.27 mg/L (2 h) and 2.39 mg/L (6 h after application), respectively. A statistically significant difference in aqueous humour concentrations between patients receiving 1 g or 2 g of cefpirome could not be proven. In conclusion, cefpirome penetrates well into the anterior chamber of the non-inflamed human eye in concentrations that are therapeutic for many gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, frequently responsible for anterior segment eye infections.