amoxicillin-potassium-clavulanate-combination and Peritonitis

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is one of the most serious complications occurring in cirrhotic patients with ascites. Therefore, an effective therapy is always required starting immediately after diagnosis. There are three aims of therapy: (1) to eradicate the bacterial strain responsible of the infection; (2) to prevent renal failure; and (3) to prevent SBP recurrence. The first end point is achievable by means of a large-spectrum antibiotic therapy. Empirical antibiotic therapy can be started with a third-generation cephalosporin, amoxicillin-clavulanate or a quinolone. The effectiveness of antibiotics should be verified by determining the percent reduction of polymorphonuclear cells count in the ascitic fluid. If bacteria result to be resistant to the empirical therapy, a further antibiotic must be given according to the in vitro bacterial susceptibility. In most cases, a 5-day antibiotic therapy is enough to eradicate the bacterial strain. Severe renal failure occurs in about 30% of patients with SBP, independently of the response to antibiotics, and it is associated with elevated mortality. The early administration of large amount of human albumin showed to be able to reduce the episodes of renal failure and to improve survival. After the resolution of an episode of SBP, the recurrence is frequent. Therefore, an intestinal decontamination with oral norfloxacin has been shown to significantly reduce this risk and is widely practised. However, such a long-term prophylaxis, as well as the current increased use of invasive procedures, favours the increase of bacterial infections, including SBP, contracted during the hospitalization (nosocomial infections) and sustained by multi-resistant bacteria. This involves the necessity to use a different strategy of antibiotic prophylaxis as well as a more strict surveillance of patients at risk.

Topics: Albumins; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Ascites; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Empiricism; Humans; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Transplantation; Peritonitis; Recurrence; Risk Factors; Time Factors

Bacterial infections are well described complications of cirrhosis that greatly increase mortality rates. Two factors play important roles in the development of bacterial infections in these patients: the severity of liver disease and gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The most common infections are spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, urinary tract infections, pneumonia and sepsis. Gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria are equal causative organisms. For primary prophylaxis, short-term antibiotic treatment (oral norfloxacin or ciprofloxacin) is indicated in cirrhotic patients (with or without ascites) admitted with gastrointestinal haemorrhage (variceal or non-variceal). Administration of norfloxacin is advisable for hospitalized patients with low ascitic protein even without gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The first choice in empirical treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is the iv. III. generation cephalosporin; which can be switched for a targeted antibiotic regime based on the result of the culture. The duration of therapy is 5-8 days. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and fluoroquinolones--patients not on prior quinolone prophylaxis--were shown to be as effective and safe as cefotaxime. In patients with evidence of improvement, iv. antibiotics can be switched safely to oral antibiotics after 2 days. In case of renal dysfunction, iv albumin should also be administered. Long-term antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended in patients who have recovered from an episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (secondary prevention). For "selective intestinal decontamination", poorly absorbed oral norfloxacin is the preferred schedule. Oral ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin (added gram positive spectrum) all the more are reasonable alternatives. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is only for patients who are intolerant to quinolones. Prophylaxis is indefinite until disappearance of ascites, transplant or death. Long-term prophylaxis is currently not recommended for patients without previous spontaneous bacterial peritonitis episode, not even when refractory ascites or low ascites protein content is present.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ascites; Bacteremia; Bacterial Infections; Cefotaxime; Cephalosporins; Ciprofloxacin; Fluoroquinolones; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Liver Cirrhosis; Norfloxacin; Peritonitis; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Primary Prevention; Severity of Illness Index; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; Urinary Tract Infections

This prospective, randomized, open, international, multicenter study of adults with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) compared the efficacy and safety of sequential intravenous (i.v.) to oral (p.o.) moxifloxacin 400 mg once daily, with that of i.v. ceftriaxone 2 g once daily, plus metronidazole 500 mg three times daily, followed by p.o. amoxicillin/clavulanate 625 mg three times daily. The primary efficacy variable was clinical cure at test of cure (TOC) (day 28-42 after study entry) in the per protocol (PP) population. Of 595 patients in the study, 511 patients were valid for PP analysis (246 moxifloxacin, 265 ceftriaxone/metronidazole). Sequential moxifloxacin was noninferior to the comparator regimen--clinical cure rates at TOC were 80.9% versus 82.3% (moxifloxacin versus ceftriaxone/metronidazole; 95% CI -8.9, 4.2%). The incidence of adverse events was comparable between the two treatment groups. Therefore, sequential moxifloxacin monotherapy is as effective and safe as combination therapy with i.v. ceftriaxone plus i.v. metronidazole followed by oral amoxicillin/clavulanate for the treatment of cIAI.

Topics: Abdominal Abscess; Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Infective Agents; Appendicitis; Aza Compounds; Bacterial Infections; Ceftriaxone; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Fluoroquinolones; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Intestinal Perforation; Male; Metronidazole; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Moxifloxacin; Peritonitis; Prospective Studies; Quinolines

Experience of treatment of 43 patients, operated on for perforative gastroduodenal ulcer, was summarized. In 23 of them in the early postoperative period amoxyclav was applied for the treatment and prophylaxis, what have had assisted the reduction of the complications rate as well as the length of treatment of the patients in stationary. Good tolerance of the preparation was noted.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Peptic Ulcer; Peptic Ulcer Perforation; Peritonitis; Postoperative Complications; Sepsis; Suppuration; Treatment Outcome

In a randomized prospective trial of prophylactic antibiotics in at-risk abdominal surgery, one dose of intravenous Augmentin (amoxycillin 250 mg and clavulanic acid 125 mg) on induction has been compared with three 8 hourly doses in 900 patients. Wound infection rates which included minor and delayed infections were very similar in those given one dose: 48/449 (10.7%) compared with those given three doses: 49/451 (10.9%) 95% confidence limits - 4.25% + 3.9%. There were more septic and sepsis-related deaths in those patients given one dose (14 deaths) than in those given three doses (7 deaths) P > 0.1 95% CL - 0.4% + 3.0%. However, there were more very elderly patients in the one dose group: 64% of the deaths were aged over 80 and all but one had an emergency operation. There was no difference in the other outcome measures studied which included non-fatal deep sepsis, length of postoperative hospital stay, duration of postoperative fever or the use of antibiotics for postoperative infection. One dose of a suitable intravenous antibiotic gives prophylaxis against wound infection in at-risk abdominal surgery which is at least as effective as multiple doses. However, there may be a risk of overwhelming systemic sepsis in very elderly patients having emergency surgery.

Topics: Abdomen; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Peritonitis; Prospective Studies; Surgical Wound Infection

The success rate of non-operative treatment (NOT) of acute uncomplicated appendicitis (AUA) in children varies from 65% to 95%. There are no recommendations on the appropriate antibiotic therapy.. To determine the clinical efficacy of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for NOT of AUA in children.. Design: Cross-sectional study in a single medical centre.. Emergency department and Paediatric Visceral Surgery department of the Children Hospital in Toulouse, France.. Patients 5-15 years old who were diagnosed with appendicitis, (1) With abdominal pain and a first episode of acute appendicitis, (2) With no radiological or ultrasound evidence of appendicolith, appendiceal perforation, pelvic abscess nor peritonitis, and (3) With non-septic general aspect, were included.. NOT consisted of hospital admission. The antibiotic treatment was a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (80 mg/kg/day of amoxicillin): intravenous regimen during 48 hours followed by oral route during 7 days.. Success rate of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid NOT in children with AUA at 2 years.. The initial success rate of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid NOT in children with AUA was 100% (104/104 patients). The success rate at 2 years was 85.6% (89/104) at discharge. None of the 15 patients who underwent surgery after recurrence of appendicitis presented with peritonitis, appendiceal perforation nor pelvic abscess.. Narrowed antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin and clavulanic acid seems to be an alternative to surgery in children with AUA. It is necessary to wait for the results of ongoing studies to confirm these results.

Topics: Abscess; Acute Disease; Adolescent; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Appendicitis; Child; Child, Preschool; Clavulanic Acid; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Peritonitis; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Azithromycin; Chlamydia Infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; Female; Hepatitis; Humans; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; Peritonitis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Young Adult

Primary peritonitis, a bacterial infection within the peritoneal cavity that arises in the absence of an intraperitoneal source, is a rare entity in paediatrics. We describe the case of a previously healthy 11-year-old girl who presented with an acute abdomen and was found to have primary peritonitis due to

Topics: Abdomen, Acute; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Appendectomy; Child; Female; Humans; Peritoneal Cavity; Peritonitis; Pharyngitis; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pyogenes; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Adult; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Anorexia Nervosa; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Ferric Compounds; Humans; Maltose; Peritonitis; Zinc

The aim of this study was to investigate the microbiology of secondary bacterial peritonitis due to appendicitis and the appropriateness of current antimicrobial practice in one institution.. A 14-year retrospective single-centre study of 69 consecutive paediatric patients (age 1-14 years) with appendicitis-related peritonitis and positive peritoneal specimen cultures was conducted. Post-operative outcomes, microbiology and antibiotic susceptibility of peritoneal isolates were analysed in all patients.. Escherichia coli was identified in 56/69 (81 %) peritoneal specimens; four isolates were resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanate, and one other isolate was resistant to gentamicin. Anaerobes were identified in 37/69 (54 %) peritoneal specimens; two anaerobic isolates were resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanate and one isolate was resistant to metronidazole. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified in 4/69 (6 %) peritoneal specimens, and all were susceptible to gentamicin. Streptococcal species (two Group F streptococci and three β-haemolytic streptococci) were identified in 5/69 (7 %) specimens, and all were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanate. Combination therapy involving amoxicillin-clavulanate and aminoglycoside is appropriate empirical treatment in 68/69 (99 %) patients. Addition of metronidazole to this regime would provide 100 % initial empirical coverage. Inadequate initial empiric antibiotic treatment and the presence of amoxicillin-clavulanate resistant E. coli were independent predictors of the post-operative infectious complications observed in 14/69 (20 %) patients.. E. coli and mixed anaerobes are the predominant organisms identified in secondary peritonitis from appendicitis in children. Inadequate initial empirical antibiotic and amoxicillin-clavulanate resistant E. coli may contribute to increased post-operative infectious complications. This study provides evidence-based information on choice of combination therapy for paediatric appendicitis-related bacterial peritonitis.

Topics: Adolescent; Aminoglycosides; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Appendicitis; Child; Child, Preschool; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Gentamicins; Humans; Infant; Male; Metronidazole; Peritonitis; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas Infections; Retrospective Studies; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus agalactiae

Current recommendations for empirical antimicrobial therapy in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) are based on quite old trials. Since microbial epidemiology and the management of patients have changed, whether these recommendations are still appropriate must be confirmed.. An observational study that exhaustively collected the clinical and biological data associated with positive ascitic fluid cultures was conducted in four French university hospitals in 2010-2011.. Two hundred and sixty-eight documented positive cultures were observed in 190 cirrhotic patients (median age 61.5 years, 58.5% Child score C). Of these, 57 were classified as confirmed SBP and 140 as confirmed bacterascites. The predominant flora was Gram-positive cocci, whatever the situation (SBP, bacterascites, nosocomial/health-care related or not). Enteroccocci (27.7% E. faecium) were isolated in 24% of the episodes, and in 48% from patients receiving quinolone prophylaxis. E. coli were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanate and to third-generation cephalosporins in 62.5% and 89.5% of cases, respectively. No single antibiotic allowed antimicrobial coverage of more than 60%. Only combinations such as amoxicillin + third-generation cephalosporin or cotrimoxazole allowed coverage close to 75-80% in non-nosocomial episodes. Combinations based on broader spectrum antibiotics should be considered for empirical therapy of nosocomial infections.. Our study confirmed the changing spectrum of pathogens in SBP and bacterascites, and the need for more complex antibiotic strategies than those previously recommended. Our findings also underline the need for new clinical trials conducted in the current epidemiological context.

Topics: Aged; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Ascitic Fluid; Bacterial Infections; Cross Infection; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Escherichia coli; Female; Humans; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Peritonitis; Treatment Outcome

Antibiotic administration during acute appendicitis in children continues to be debated. The purpose of this study was to compare efficacy of two prophylactic antibiotic treatment guidelines in acute appendicitis and peritonitis in children.. The infectious complication rate after appendicectomy was compared during two distinct periods (before/after study). During the first period, the guidelines for antibiotic administration were based on ticarcillin-clavulanic acid. During the second period, the guidelines were based on amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for non-perforated appendicitis or appendicitis with localized peritonitis, and clavulanic acid was reserved for general peritonitis. All children younger than 16 years of age who underwent appendicectomy during the periods studied were included. Data were retrospectively collected from surgical and anesthetics charts.. Ninety-five children during the first period and 238 during the second were included. In the children with non-perforated appendicitis, no postoperative infectious complication occurred in 74 children during the first period versus two out of 153 (1%) during the second period. In cases of perforated appendicitis, postoperative infectious complications occurred two cases (10%) during the first period versus nine (11%) during the second. There were no significant differences between the two periods.. In this population, antibiotic administration guidelines based on amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for stages I-III of appendicitis maintained a low rate of postoperative infectious complications and were not associated with a higher postoperative infectious complication rate than guidelines based on ticarcillin-clavulanic acid.

Topics: Adolescent; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Appendectomy; Appendicitis; Child; Child, Preschool; Clavulanic Acids; Female; Guideline Adherence; Humans; Male; Peritonitis; Retrospective Studies; Surgical Wound Infection; Ticarcillin

Topics: Adult; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Appendicitis; beta-Lactams; Cephalosporins; Community-Acquired Infections; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Ertapenem; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Humans; Intestines; Male; Morocco; Peptic Ulcer Perforation; Peritonitis; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prospective Studies

Bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents is of great concern to clinicians. Patient outcome after infection is mainly dependent on the sensitivity of the bacterium to the agent used. We retrospectively studied 89 postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) patients with proven Escherichia coli peritonitis and investigated the clinical consequences of the E. coli resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanate. Significantly increased mortality, days of ventilation and ICU stay were noted in the co-amoxicillin/clavulanate resistant group. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that the sensitivity of E. coli to amoxicillin/clavulanate in the postoperative ICU setting has decreased in recent years. We can conclude that the current antibiotic regimen for the empirical treatment of ICU patients with peritonitis, as used in our hospital, needs to be changed. A switch, for instance, to ceftriaxone (Rocephin) in combination with metronidazole and gentamicin, instead of the present regimen of amoxicillin/clavulanate in combination with gentamicin, seems preferable.

Topics: Abdomen; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cross Infection; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Gentamicins; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Male; Peritonitis; Treatment Outcome

Primary peritonitis (PP) is an infection of the peritoneal cavity occurring in the absence of a documented intraabdominal source of contamination. It is one of the main infectious complications of cirrhosis but is rare in healthy subjects. The purpose of this retrospective study is to describe a series of 15 cases of PP treated over a 3-year period at the Principal Hospital in Dakar, Senegal. The patient population was young (all but 2 under age of 13 years) and predominantly female (87%) with no predisposing factors. Clinical presentation always involved typical peritonitis. Surgical exploration was performed in all cases by laparotomy (n=13) or laparoscopy (n=2). Intra-operative bacteriologic sampling was performed systematically. Probabilistic antimicrobial therapy was administered in all cases using a triple-drug combination including a cephalosporin or betalactamine, an aminoside and metronidazole. This unconventional combination was designed to allow low-cost wide-spectrum coverage. As in patients with cirrhosis, the most common microbial agents were gram-negative bacteria (47%). Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified in 40% of cases. Infectious ORL and pulmonary sites were suspected in some cases. Although no supporting bacteriologic evidence was obtained, the high frequency of pneumococcal involvement as well as the age and female predominance of the patient population is consistent with contamination via the female genital tract. The cases in this series present unusual epidemiological, clinical and bacteriologic features. In Europe surgical treatment can be avoided thanks to the availability of modern facilities to support further laboratory examinations. In Africa antimicrobial therapy and peritoneal lavage are the mainstay treatments. Use of laparoscopy should be expanded.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Africa South of the Sahara; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Ampicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cefamandole; Child; Child, Preschool; Drug Combinations; Female; Gentamicins; Humans; Laparoscopy; Male; Metronidazole; Middle Aged; Peritonitis; Retrospective Studies

BB-81384, a novel peptide deformylase (PDF) inhibitor, was characterized in terms of enzyme inhibition profile, antibacterial activity, rodent pharmacokinetics and oral efficacy in murine infection models.. MICs were determined by standard NCCLS broth microdilution. Selectivity of metalloenzyme inhibition was determined with a limited panel of enzymes via standard biochemical assays. Profiling of the pharmacokinetics and select tissue disposition in mice was determined and compared with that of the macrolide, azithromycin. In vivo murine efficacy studies using Streptococcus pneumoniae were conducted using a peritonitis model, as well as lung and thigh burden models of infection.. BB-81384 selectively inhibited PDF with an IC(50) approximately 10 nM and with MICs < 0.5 mg/L against most S. pneumoniae pathogens. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed good oral bioavailability and moderate clearance and volume of distribution. BB-81384 partitioning to lung tissue was similar in terms of magnitude and kinetics to that of the plasma compartment. Single-administration oral efficacy in a mouse peritonitis model was evident with an ED(50) of 30 mg/kg. BB-81384 reduced the bacterial load by approximately 5 and 3 log units in organ-burden models of lung and thigh infection, respectively.. BB-81384, a novel PDF inhibitor with good activity against S. pneumoniae in vitro, was the first compound of this class to be profiled for oral pharmacokinetics and tissue disposition and to demonstrate oral anti-pneumococcal efficacy in mice.

Topics: Amidohydrolases; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Bacteria; Drug Therapy, Combination; Enzyme Inhibitors; Kinetics; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Muscle, Skeletal; Muscular Diseases; Neutropenia; Peritonitis; Piperazines; Pneumococcal Infections; Pneumonia; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Tissue Distribution

Topics: Adult; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Ascites; Bacteremia; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Comorbidity; Drug Combinations; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Gonorrhea; Hepatitis C, Chronic; HIV Infections; Humans; Ileus; Liver Neoplasms; Multiple Organ Failure; Ofloxacin; Pelvic Infection; Peritonitis

In this retrospective study, the possibility of using amoxicillin/clavulanate for empirical therapy of secondary peritonitis as an alternative to imipenem was explored.. All secondary peritonitis cases at our institution between 1998 and 2000 were included. Susceptibility to imipenem and amoxicillin/clavulanate of microorganisms isolated in peritoneal fluid and success rates were compared. Therapeutic failure was defined as death, necessity of repeated surgical intervention, or clinical deterioration with persistent positive cultures.. Seventy-six cases of secondary peritonitis with 156 microorganisms were found. One hundred and forty-nine (98%) were susceptible to imipenem versus 124 (82%) to amoxicillin/clavulanate (p = 0.0001). Thirteen therapeutic failures occurred in 52 patients treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate (25%) versus 3 out of 8 (38%) with imipenem (p = 0.43). The proportion of organisms resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanate in therapeutic failures was greater in nosocomial versus community-acquired secondary peritonitis (p = 0.041).. Despite its better in vitro bacteriological activity, clinical efficacy of imipenem was identical to amoxicillin/clavulanate. The use of amoxicillin/clavulanate instead of imipenem would save 889 Euro per case.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Costs; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Imipenem; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Peritonitis; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Adult; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Laparotomy; Peritonitis; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pyogenes

The efficacy of cationic peptides combined with betalactams was investigated in a peritonitis rat model. Intraabdominal sepsis was induced in adult Wistar rats via cecal ligation and single puncture. The study included eight drug-treated groups: each of them received intravenous polymyxin-E (1 mg/kg), buforin II (1 mg/kg), imipenem (20 mg/kg), amoxicillin-clavulanate (50 mg/kg), polymyxin-E (1 mg/kg) plus imipenem (20 mg/kg), or amoxicillin-clavulanate (50 mg/kg), and buforin II (1 mg/kg) plus imipenem (20 mg/kg), or amoxicillin-clavulanate (50 mg/kg). The study included an untreated control group that received intravenous isotonic sodium chloride solution. All compounds significantly reduced the lethality and the number of bacteria in abdominal fluid compared with saline treatment. Among compounds, imipenem showed the highest antimicrobial activity, while buforin II produced the highest reduction in plasma endotoxin and TNF-alpha levels. Overall, buforin II and imipenem association were the most effective therapeutic approach. Data presented here suggest the potential advantages of combining antimicrobial agents and compounds able to neutralize the biological effect of the endotoxin.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Colistin; Colony Count, Microbial; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Therapy, Combination; Endotoxins; Exudates and Transudates; Imipenem; Male; Peritonitis; Proteins; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sepsis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Bacterial Infections; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Peritonitis

Topics: Aged; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Male; Meningococcal Infections; Neisseria meningitidis; Peritonitis

Primary peritonitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is a rare but serious complication of childbirth. We present here three cases of young women who developed abdominal pain after childbirth. All of the patients had fever with abdominal pain, diarrhea and clinical signs of peritonitis. In two cases a laparotomy was performed to remove pus. Cultures taken were positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae. Culture of vaginal swabs and blood cultures were also positive for the same pathogen. For the third patient, both vaginal swabs and blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae, antibiotic therapy only was administered. Outcome was favorable for all. We discuss the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, management and the usefulness for systematic search "for" Streptococcus pneumoniae in vaginal swabs.

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adult; Amikacin; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteremia; Cilastatin; Diarrhea; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Fever; Humans; Imipenem; Laparotomy; Penicillins; Peritonitis; Pneumococcal Infections; Protease Inhibitors; Puerperal Infection; Thienamycins; Treatment Outcome; Vagina

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhosis is a serious complication that demands urgent attention. We report here a prospective study of the treatment of 27 episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in 22 cirrhotic patients with amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. The infection of ascitic fluid was diagnosed by a positive culture plus an ascitic neutrophil count exceeding 75/microliters, or by an ascitic neutrophil count exceeding 500/microliters. The infection was treated with 1 gm amoxicillin and 0.2 gm clavulanic acid every 6 hr for 14 days. In 17 cases (63%), bacteria were isolated from the ascitic fluid. All the bacteria isolated were sensitive to amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, whereas in five cases they were resistant to amoxicillin alone (Escherichia coli in two cases, Klebsiella pneumoniae in two cases and Bacteroides fragilis in one case). Cure of the infection was achieved in 23 episodes (85%) after 14 days' treatment; 17 patients (63%) were able to leave the hospital. Fourteen of 20 patients (70%) treated for the first episode of infection died within 1 yr: eight from infection, two from gastrointestinal hemorrhage, one from infection and hemorrhage and three from tumors. One patient who had repeated infections underwent liver transplantation and has not had any infectious complications 1.5 yr after surgery. Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid may be an effective first-line therapy for ascitic fluid infection in cirrhosis. Nevertheless, the 1-yr prognosis continues to be grave and the severity of the underlying liver disease remains the most important determinant for survival.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Bacterial Infections; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic; Middle Aged; Peritonitis; Prognosis; Prospective Studies