International journal of antimicrobial agents
-
Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Sep 2010
ReviewEvolving trends in Streptococcus pneumoniae resistance: implications for therapy of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.
Pneumonia is a major infectious disease associated with significant morbidity, mortality and utilisation of healthcare resources. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the predominant pathogen in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), accounting for 20-60% of bacterial cases. Emergence of multidrug-resistant S. pneumoniae has become a significant problem in the management of CAP. ⋯ Until rapid and accurate diagnostic tests become available, initial treatment of CAP will remain empirical. Thus, selection of appropriate antimicrobial therapy for CAP must be based on prediction of the most likely pathogens and their local antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. This article reviews information on antimicrobial resistance patterns amongst S. pneumoniae and implications for managing CAP.
-
Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Jul 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Meta Analysis Comparative StudyMoxifloxacin monotherapy versus beta-lactam-based standard therapy for community-acquired pneumonia: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
The aim of this study was to compare more conclusively the efficacy and safety of moxifloxacin, a new respiratory fluoroquinolone antibiotic, with beta-lactam-based standard therapy, which has been reported to possess good efficacy for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) identified in PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Embase was performed. Seven RCTs, involving 3903 patients, were included in the meta-analysis. ⋯ No difference was found regarding the incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events between moxifloxacin and beta-lactam-based standard therapy. This meta-analysis provides evidence that moxifloxacin not only can be used as effectively and safely as beta-lactam-based standard therapy for CAP but also possesses a favourable pathogen eradication rate. The once-daily dosing of moxifloxacin monotherapy may be a useful alternative for beta-lactam-based standard therapy.
-
Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Jun 2010
Case ReportsAugmented renal clearance in the Intensive Care Unit: an illustrative case series.
The substantial underlying disease burden, in combination with the therapeutic interventions provided, can result in significantly altered end-organ function in the critically ill. These changes can in turn affect key pharmacokinetic (PK) indices for many antibiotics, including drug clearance, promoting potentially subtherapeutic concentrations for lengthy periods of the dosing interval, therapeutic failure or the selection of resistant organisms. ⋯ We propose augmented renal clearance as a possible mechanism underlying this phenomenon, particularly in young post-operative, burns or head-injured patients with normal serum creatinine concentrations. TDM, or at least a measured creatinine clearance, should be considered early in this setting to allow the optimisation of antibiotic exposure.