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Empirical Antibiotic Therapy (empirical + antibiotic_therapy)
Selected AbstractsPrevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the Setting of Dermatologic SurgeryDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2009ROGER S. SICA DO BACKGROUND The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the postoperative setting of dermatologic surgery is unknown. Such data could influence the empirical treatment of suspected infections. OBJECTIVE To examine the period prevalence of MRSA infections in the postoperative setting of dermatologic surgery. METHODS We performed chart reviews of 70 patients who had bacterial cultures taken from January 2007 to December 2007. In the 21 postsurgical cases, we analyzed age, risk factors, sites of predilection, method of repair, and pathogen of growth. RESULTS The mean age of the overall study population was 57, with the mean age of postsurgical MRSA-positive cases being 75.5. Of the 21 postsurgical cultures taken, 16 cultures grew pathogen, and two of the 16 (13%) pathogen-positive cultures grew MRSA. LIMITATIONS This is a retrospective chart review of a relatively small sample size in one geographic location. Our patient population is known to contain a large number of retirees. CONCLUSION The increasing prevalence of MRSA skin and soft tissue infections and recommendation to modify empirical antibiotic therapy have been well documented in particular patient populations, but we caution against the empirical use of MRSA-sensitive antibiotics in the postoperative setting of dermatologic surgery. We advocate culturing all infectious lesions upon presentation and reserve empirical use of MRSA-sensitive antibiotics for high-risk patients or locations. [source] Infectious discitis in adults: 9 years experience from Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, IraqINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 2 2008Riyadh A. SAKENI Abstract Aim:, The objective of this study was to analyse the presentation, aetiology, diagnosis, management, and outcome of infectious discitis. Methods:, A screening prospective case-finding study was carried out at Al-Yarmouk teaching hospital in Baghdad, Iraq from 1997 to 2006. Fifty adult patients (12 men and 38 women) were diagnosed with infectious discitis from different referral sources. The diagnosis was based on laboratory biochemical tests, isolation of micro-organisms from blood and needle aspiration tissue, and radiological investigations including magnetic resonance images (MRI). Results:, Of the 50 cases, 32 (64%) patients presenting within 4 weeks, 94% had pelvic and abdominal surgical interventions, 70% presented with severe neck pain and 36% had neurological deficits. Marked elevation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and high serum C-reactive protein levels were observed in all patients. Positive blood, percutaneous disc aspiration and surgical exploration samples for Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus viridans, E. coli, Pseudomonas aureginosa and Candida albicans were found. Radiological images showed that disc involvement did not exceed more than one intervertebrate disc with two adjacent vertebrae. The clinical outcome was full recovery (86%), residual neurological deficits (10%) and death (4%). Conclusions:, Infectious discitis in adults should be suspected in every case presenting with severe neck or back pain, followed by pelvic or abdominal surgical interventions. Therefore, MRI techniques should be performed on every case and an early empirical antibiotic therapy is advised. [source] Extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria and Clostridium difficile in patients with pouchitisALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2010S. D. McLaughlin Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 664,669 Summary Background, Treatment with fluoroquinolones is associated with the development of Clostridium difficile and extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria (ESBL). Clostridium difficile and ESBL are resistant to many antibiotics and each may cause pouchitis after restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) refractory to empirical antibiotic therapy. Aim, To assess the prevalence and establish risk factors for the development of ESBL and Clostridium difficile toxins (CDT) in RPC patients with recurrent or refractory pouchitis under follow-up at our institution over a 1-year period. Method, An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect CDT and a culture technique was used to identity ESBL in faecal samples. All patients had previously received fluoroquinolone treatment. Results, Forty-eight patients (35 (74%) men; median age 42 years) underwent testing at a median interval from RPC of 8 (range 1,25) years. No patient had a positive CDT result, but ESBL bacteria were identified in 16 (33%) samples. ESBL positivity was significantly related to prepouch ileitis (P = 0.035) and maintenance antibiotic therapy (P = 0.039). Conclusions, Extended spectrum beta-lactamase, but not CDT, is a common finding in faecal samples from patients with recurrent or refractory pouchitis. Treatment with maintenance antibiotics and prepouch ileitis are risk factors for developing ESBL-producing bacteria. [source] A standardized protocol for the treatment of severe pneumonia in kidney transplant recipientsCLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2002Pierpaolo Sileri Abstract:, Although the incidence of pneumonia after kidney transplantation is the lowest among all solid organ transplants, it is associated with high mortality rate (40,50%). We evaluated the efficacy of a protocol consisting of bronco-alveolar-lavage (BAL) for early microbiological diagnosis, reduction of the immunosuppressive therapy, and prompt administration of standardized antibiotic regimen in renal transplant recipients with severe pneumonia. Between 6/1989 and 5/1999, 40 kidney transplant recipients developed 46 episodes of severe pneumonia (hypoxia and/or infiltrate on the chest X-ray). According to protocol, in all these cases, a BAL was immediately performed and empirical antibiotic therapy was initiated with erythromycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole i.v. Furthermore, the immunosuppressive therapy was drastically reduced. Analyses of BAL fluid included cell differential count, cytopathologic examination and cultures for bacteria, fungi and viruses. Within 48 h, the therapy was switched to proper i.v. antibiotics, if necessary, according to the results of sensitivity testing of BAL specimens. The mortality rate was 12.5% (5 of 40). Mechanical ventilation was required in 20 cases (34.5%) and four of the patients that required intubation died. BAL alone established a diagnosis in 67.4% (31 of 46) of the patients. Bacteria were responsible for 61% of the episodes, with fungi responsible for 29% and viruses for 10%. Seven cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia were treated with the prolongation of the initial therapy. We conclude that a combination of early detection of the responsible pathogen by BAL, aggressive reduction of the immunosuppressive therapy and the immediate empirical administration of erythromycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is an effective strategy to treat pneumonia kidney transplantation (KTX) recipients. [source] |