BACKGROUND
In contrast to a healthy person, patients who have acute lower pespiratory tract infection with underlying pulmonary diseases have various pathogens, a rapidly progressie downhill course, and a poor response to prior antimicrobial therapy. Broad spectrum antivacterial therapy is needed for full evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cefpirome, we administered 1gm cefpirome, twice a day to 30 patients who had signs and symptoms of acute lower repiratory infection regardless of their underlying disease, except to those who had an allergic history to antibiotics or severe systemic diseases. RESULTS: The results were as follows : 1) Among 30 cases, 21 cases(70.0%) showed excellent improvement, and 7 cases(23.3%) showed good improvement in their symptoms and signs of acute lower respiratory infection. 2) In 14 cases with isolated pathogens, we observed bacteriologic eradication in 11 cases(78.6%). 3) Significant side effects were not found CONCLUSION: Above results suggest that cefpirome was effective as a monotherapy in patients with acute lower respriatory infection, especially on those with as underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).