International journal of antimicrobial agents
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Jul 2007
ReviewContinuous infusion of beta-lactam antibiotics in severe infections: a review of its role.
Continuous infusion of beta-lactam antibiotics has been widely promoted to optimise their time-dependent activity. Increasing evidence is emerging suggesting potential benefits in patient populations with altered pathophysiology, such as seriously ill patients. From a pharmacokinetic viewpoint, much information supports higher trough concentrations of beta-lactam antibiotics when administered by continuous infusion. ⋯ Some evidence suggests improved clinical cure and resolution of illness with continuous infusion in seriously ill patients. Pharmacoeconomic advantages of continuous infusion of beta-lactam antibiotics are well characterised. Available data suggest that seriously ill patients with severe infections requiring significant antibiotic courses (>or=4 days) may be the subgroup that will achieve better outcomes with continuous infusion.
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Jun 2007
ReviewGerman guidelines for the diagnosis and management of infective endocarditis.
This Gudelines are the translation of the German Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Infective Endocarditis, which were prepared by the Working Group on Infective Endocarditis of the Paul-Ehrlich-Society and the German Society for Cardiology, Heart, and Circulatory Research in cooperation with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Thorax-, Herz und Gefässchirurgie (DGTHG; German Society for Thorax-, Cardiac-, and Vascular Surgery), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Infektiologie (DGI; German Society for Infectious Diseases), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internistische Intensivmedizin und Notfallmedizin (DGIIN; German Society for Internal Intensive Care Medicin and Emergency Medicine), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie (DGHM; German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Innere Medizin (DGIM; German Society for Internal Medicine) (Naber CK et al. [S2 Guideline for diagnosis and therapy of infectious endocarditis] Z Kardiol. 2004;93:1005-21). The Guidelines provide recommendations for the diagnosis and management of infective endocarditis.
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Jun 2007
ReviewAetiology of bacterial meningitis and resistance to antibiotics of causative pathogens in Europe and in the Mediterranean region.
Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b are most commonly associated with bacterial meningitis accounting for almost 90% of reported cases of acute bacterial meningitis in infants over 60 days of age and young children. This work reviews the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis in Europe and in the Mediterranean region as well as the antimicrobial susceptibility of the etiological agents.
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Mar 2007
ReviewLinezolid for the treatment of adults with bone and joint infections.
We reviewed the available evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of linezolid administration for the treatment of patients with orthopaedic infections due to multidrug-resistant Gram-positive cocci. Although the reports published to date include promising results for the use of linezolid for bone and joint infections, controlled studies will be needed to reach safe conclusions. Attention should be paid to adverse effects that may be related to linezolid administration, especially bone marrow suppression with prolonged administration of the antibiotic. In addition, early identification of linezolid-induced peripheral neuropathy is necessary because this may be an irreversible event.
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Sep 2006
Review Meta Analysis Comparative StudyCiprofloxacin/metronidazole versus beta-lactam-based treatment of intra-abdominal infections: a meta-analysis of comparative trials.
Intra-abdominal infections are polymicrobial and result in substantial morbidity and mortality. The combination of ciprofloxacin/metronidazole as well as several beta-lactam-based regimens are among the commonly used regimens for the treatment of patients with such infections. Thus, we sought to review the evidence from available comparative clinical trials studying ciprofloxacin/metronidazole versus broad-spectrum beta-lactam-based regimens in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections. ⋯ There was a statistically significant difference between the compared arms with regard to cure in favour of the ciprofloxacin/metronidazole combination (odds ratio (OR)=1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-2.39). There was no statistically significant difference between the compared arms with regard to total mortality (OR=1.10, 95% CI 0.71-1.69), mortality attributable to infection (OR=1.42, 95% CI 0.66-3.06) and toxicity (OR=1.25, 95% CI 0.66-2.35). In conclusion, pooled data from the available comparative trials suggest that the ciprofloxacin/metronidazole combination may be superior to beta-lactam-based therapeutic regimens in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections with regard to cure of infections, although no difference in mortality was found.