Nephrotoxicity Associated With the Use of Cephaloridine

CEPHALORIDINE, a semisynthetic cephalosporin derivative which has recently been introduced for clinical evaluation,1-4has several advantages over cephalothin. It is a more potent agent in vitro, it is more soluble and causes less pain when injected, blood levels are higher, and less frequent injections are necessary due to slower renal clearance.5,6Possible disadvantages include less resistance to hydrolysis by staphylococcal beta-lactamase7,8and greater nephrotoxicity.4,5,9,10This report presents the case of a severely debilitated man infected withKlebsiellaorganisms, whose death was associated with uncontrolled infection and a nephrotoxic reaction to large doses of cephaloridine given intravenously. Report of a Case A 53-year-old white man was admitted to the hospital on Jan 6, 1965, complaining of weakness and shakiness of three weeks' duration and dyspnea, productive cough, chills, and fever for one week. Significant history included pulmonary tuberculosis 20 years previously and severe, chronic alcoholism. Physical examination