International journal of antimicrobial agents
-
Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Dec 2015
ReviewCan procalcitonin monitoring reduce the length of antibiotic treatment in bloodstream infections?
Antibiotic overconsumption and subsequent bacterial multidrug resistance are associated with increased mortality, length of hospitalisation and healthcare costs. Discontinuation of antibiotic treatment in severe infections, such as bloodstream infections (BSIs), is a demanding clinical decision. ⋯ Furthermore, the presented data indicate that PCT assessment is helpful in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis. In conclusion, monitoring of PCT together with evaluation of the clinical situation is a valuable tool in reducing the length of antimicrobial treatment in BSIs.
-
Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Dec 2015
Can we transfer pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of antimicrobials into clinical practice?
In critically ill patients there is extensive evidence of subtherapeutic antibiotic exposure from standard doses across different antibiotic classes. This can be a direct consequence of pharmacokinetic alterations emanating from the complex pathophysiological processes associated with severe infection. ⋯ In clinical practice, it is necessary to reduce the number of blood samples collected from the patient to a minimum because of the cost (personnel, devises and analysis). TDM to calculate PK/PD indices is easily feasible only when a single blood sample is adequate to perform the analysis.