Expert review of anti-infective therapy
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Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther · Dec 2014
EditorialDiscovery of forgotten variola specimens at the National Institutes of Health in the USA.
In early July 2014, the National Institutes of Health in the USA discovered a few vials containing smallpox virus in their Bethesda, Maryland facility. The subsequent investigation, performed by US CDC, documented viable virus in two of the discovered vials that were subjected to tissue culture testing.
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Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther · Nov 2014
ReviewCeftolozane/tazobactam (CXA 201) for the treatment of intra-abdominal infections.
During the mid-nineties, 95-97% of intra-abdominal infection (IAI)- associated microbes were susceptible to commonly used antibiotics. Nowadays, in Gram-negative bacilli, β-lactam resistance and the associated co-resistance to other antibiotics leading to multidrug resistance is reaching crisis proportions. ⋯ In this setting, this article reviews the place in the therapeutic armamentarium of ceftolozane/tazobactam, a new cephalosporin/β-lactamase inhibitor with good activity against extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae, with stability to AmpC β-lactamases and good anti-pseudomonal activity being stable against the most common resistance mechanisms driven by mutation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A profound review of its in vitro activity, in vivo efficacy in animal models, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy in clinical trials in complicated IAIs and safety data is performed.
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Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther · Oct 2014
ReviewAntimicrobial treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.
Bronchiectasis unrelated to cystic fibrosis is characterized by chronic wet or productive cough, recurrent exacerbations and irreversible bronchial dilatation. After antibiotics and vaccines became available and living standards in affluent countries improved, its resulting reduced prevalence meant bronchiectasis was considered an 'orphan disease'. ⋯ This is providing much needed evidence to guide antimicrobial therapy, which has relied previously upon extrapolating treatments used in cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. While many knowledge gaps and management challenges remain, the future is improving for patients with bronchiectasis.
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Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther · Oct 2014
ReviewTreatment option for sepsis in children in the era of antibiotic resistance.
Sepsis caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms is one of the most serious infectious diseases of childhood and poses significant challenges for pediatricians involved in management of critically ill children. This review discusses the use of pharmacokinetic/dynamic principles (i.e., prolonged infusion of β-lactams and vancomycin, once-daily administration of aminoglycosides and rationale of therapeutic drug monitoring) when prescribing antibiotics to critically ill patients. The potential of 'old' agents (i.e., colistin, fosfomycin) and newly approved antibiotics is critically reviewed. The pros and cons of combination antibacterial therapy are discussed and finally suggestions for the treatment of sepsis caused by multidrug-resistant organisms are provided.
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Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther · Oct 2014
Development of CMX001 (Brincidofovir) for the treatment of serious diseases or conditions caused by dsDNA viruses.
CMX001 (hexadecyloxypropyl-cidofovir, Brincidofovir) is a broad spectrum, lipid conjugate of cidofovir that is converted intracellularly into the active antiviral, cidofovir diphosphate. The lipid conjugation results in oral bioavailability, higher intracellular concentrations of active drug, lower plasma concentrations of cidofovir and increased antiviral potency against dsDNA viruses.