Surrogate testing of oral third-generation cephalosporin susceptibility to common uropathogens

Abstract

Cefazolin susceptibility of urine isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis predicts susceptibility to oral cephalosporins, but cefazolin-resistant isolates may be susceptible to oral third-generation cephalosporins. Among 194 urine isolates, we found >95% categorical agreement among oral third-generation cephalosporins. Surrogate testing of cefpodoxime for cefdinir, and vice versa, resulted in no major or very major errors, while combinations involving cefixime produced rare major and very major errors.

Keywords: Cefazolin; Cefdinir; Cefixime; Cefpodoxime; Susceptibility testing; Uropathogen.