Objective    To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cefepime in the treatment of serious community acquired lower respiratory infection.     Methods    Eighty-six patients of serious community acquired lower respiratory infection were randomized into the experimental group (n=44) receiving cefepime (2 g

intravenous infusion

twice a day) for 7-14 d and the control group (n=42) receiving cefotaxime (3 g

intravenous infusion

three times a day) for 7-14 d.     Results    There were no statistical differences of age

severity of the disease

original diseases

or distribution of pathogens between the two groups. In the experimental group

cefepime had a good therapeutic efficacy against not only the gram-negative bacteria infection and the gram-positive bacteria infection

but also other cephalosporin-resistant bacteria infection. Its cure rate was 86.4%

and effective rate 93.2％. In the control group

cefotaxime had a less therapeutic efficacy against the infection caused by some resistant strains of the gram-negative bacteria and the gram-positive bacteria. Its cure rate was 64.3%

and effective rate 76.2%.     Conclusion    The antibacterial activity of cefepime is stronger than that of cefotaxime. So cefepime is an effective and safe antibiotic

and suggested to use in the empirical treatment for serious community acquired lower respiratory infection.