China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Infectious Diseases
Published in Lyle D. Broemeling, Bayesian Analysis of Infectious Diseases, 2021
Certain antibiotics such as penicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline are very effective against bacterial infections. The designation “antibiotic” is based on the concept of antibiosis, or the use of substances made by one living thing to kill another. Antibiotics are made by bacteria and molds that are specially cultured by commercial drug laboratories. Antibiotics kill bacteria and other disease organisms in a variety of ways. For example, some destroy cell walls, while others interfere with the multiplication of bacteria or fatally alter the way the bacteria manufacture vital proteins. Still others mix up the genetic plan of the bacteria. Ordinarily, an antibiotic tricks bacteria into using the antibiotic’s chemicals instead of closely related ones that organisms really need for making the key enzymes required for their growth and reproduction. With the antibiotic assimilated into their systems, instead of vital chemicals, an essential activity or structure of the pathogens is lacking and they die.
The Immunocompromised Patient
Published in Firza Alexander Gronthoud, Practical Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 2020
Some infections can be cleared, just like in non-immunosuppressed patients. The duration of treatment may need to be a bit longer and the dose of the antibiotic may need to be a bit higher, because more depends on the ability of the antibiotic to kill the bacterium and less on the immune system of the patient. In patients where the infection cannot be cleared, you can opt for suppressive therapy; for example, co-trimoxazole in patients with low CD4 cells, or ciprofloxacin in patients with neutropaenia and at risk of mucositis.
Central Venous Catheter Infection in the Critical Care Unit
Published in Cheston B. Cunha, Burke A. Cunha, Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Stewardship in Critical Care Medicine, 2020
Emilio Bouza, Almudena Burillo
The duration of antibiotic treatment depends on many factors, e.g., the causative microorganism, catheter, patient, and the presence or not of complications. Most authors recommend a 10- to 14-day course in a largely empirical and opinion-guided basis [3].
Dalbavancin in the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure and other infections: a safety evaluation
Published in Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, 2022
Elda Righi, Alessandro Visentin, Marco Meroi, Elena Carrara, Evelina Tacconelli
Allergic reactions remain a concern for clinicians prescribing antibiotics. Hypersensitivity reactions may be difficult to distinguish from red man syndrome (which, however, is a histamine-related infusion reaction and not a true immunoglobulin E-mediated hypersensitivity reaction). A few cases of hypersensitivity, an anaphylactoid reaction, and a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been described in association with dalbavancin therapy (Table 1 and 2). In the trials, hypersensitivity consisted in erythematous rash with chills and fever after the first infusion, while the anaphylactoid reaction was characterized by dyspnea, laryngospasm, hypotension and required epinephrine, midazolam and antihistamines administration [39]. Although no clear cross-reactivity was demonstrated between vancomycin and dalbavancin, caution is recommended in the administration of dalbavancin to patients with a history of anaphylaxis to glycopeptides. In this cases dalbavancin should be used only if the benefit outweighs the risk, with areful clinical monitoring during the infusion [41,42].
Risk factors associated with breakdown of perineal laceration repair after vaginal birth
Published in Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2022
Long Cui, Huizhu Zhang, Lun Li, Chi Chiu Wang
Intrapartum antibiotic use was found as a protective effect on wound complications in other studies (Stock et al. 2013; Wilkie et al. 2018). However, in this study, no such association was determined, but interestingly, postpartum antibiotic use contributed to 4.5-fold increased risk of breakdown of perineal laceration. This is consistent with a study that indicated the use of postpartum antibiotics was associated with wound complications (Stock et al. 2013). The increased risk may be due to, first, intrapartum antibiotics (for GBS positive status and preterm rupture of membrane) are routinely discontinued at the time of delivery in our institution. Antibiotics were only continued for those women who delivered by forceps or with high order laceration. Second, women whose wounds appeared infected in the postpartum period already and it was likely to develop repair complications. It may not be the cause of antibiotics, but rather the potential infection.
The war against bacteria, from the past to present and beyond
Published in Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, 2022
Lucrezia Bottalico, Ioannis Alexandros Charitos, Maria Assunta Potenza, Monica Montagnani, Luigi Santacroce
While definitive therapy depends on the microbiologic diagnosis by isolation, empirical therapy should be based on a clinical diagnosis combined with literature evidence and physician experience. Empirical use of antibiotics should be justified in patients with life threatening infections, in ICU settings and while awaiting results of culture. To optimize an accurate microbiological diagnosis, clinicians should ensure that properly obtained specimens are promptly submitted to the microbiology laboratory. Antibiotics work by eliminating the majority of bacteria while allowing the immune system to handle the remaining germs. Besides choosing the right antibiotics (based on their activity spectrum and mode of action), the proper duration of the correct antibiotic therapy is a priority, since not finishing the full course increases the likelihood of recurrence, and also promotes the development of drug resistance. This is particularly relevant when considering the bactericidal or bacteriostatic nature of the antimicrobial agent used. Concomitantly, factors affecting antibiotic activity such as poor bioavailability for incorrect route of administration, renal excretion, other drugs’ interactions, and allergy must be considered before prescribing the chosen antibiotic, to avoid or limit long-term toxicities in specific patients. Therefore, antibiotic therapy should be reevaluated in order to escalate or deescalate doses according to the efficacy achieved and to increased risk of side effects.