amoxicillin-potassium-clavulanate-combination and Respiratory-Tract-Infections

Lower respiratory tract infections, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations (COPD-E) and community acquired pneumonia (CAP), are one of the most frequent reasons for consultation in primary care and hospital emergency departments, and are the cause of a high prescription of antimicrobial agents. The selection of the most appropriate oral antibiotic treatment is based on different aspects and includes to first consider a bacterial aetiology and not a viral infection, to know the bacterial pathogen that most frequently cause these infections and the frequency of their local antimicrobial resistance. Treatment should also be prescribed quickly and antibiotics should be selected among those with a quicker mode of action, achieving the greatest effect in the shortest time and with the fewest adverse effects (toxicity, interactions, resistance and/or ecological impact). Whenever possible, antimicrobials should be rotated and diversified and switched to the oral route as soon as possible. With these premises, the oral treatment guidelines for mild or moderate COPD-E and CAP in Spain include as first options beta-lactam antibiotics (amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate and cefditoren), in certain situations associated with a macrolide, and relegating fluoroquinolones as an alternative, except in cases where the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is suspected.

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Community-Acquired Infections; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections

Undifferentiated acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a large and heterogeneous group of infections not clearly restricted to one specific part of the upper respiratory tract, which last for up to seven days. They are more common in pre-school children in low-income countries and are responsible for 75% of the total amount of prescribed antibiotics in high-income countries. One possible rationale for prescribing antibiotics is the wish to prevent bacterial complications.. To assess the effectiveness and safety of antibiotics in preventing bacterial complications in children aged two months to 59 months with undifferentiated ARIs.. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2015, Issue 7), which contains the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register, MEDLINE (1950 to August week 1, 2015) and EMBASE (1974 to August 2015).. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs comparing antibiotic prescriptions with placebo or no treatment in children aged two months to 59 months with an undifferentiated ARI for up to seven days.. Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted and analysed data using the standard Cochrane methodological procedures.. We identified four trials involving 1314 children. Three trials investigated the use of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid to prevent otitis and one investigated ampicillin to prevent pneumonia.The use of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid compared to placebo to prevent otitis showed a risk ratio (RR) of 0.70 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45 to 1.11, three trials, 414 selected children, moderate-quality evidence). Methods of random sequence generation and allocation concealment were not clearly stated in two trials. Performance, detection and reporting bias could not be ruled out in three trials.Ampicillin compared to supportive care (continuation of breastfeeding, clearing of the nose and paracetamol for fever control) to prevent pneumonia showed a RR of 1.05 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.49, one trial, 889 selected children, moderate-quality evidence). The trial was non-blinded. Random sequence generation and allocation concealment methods were not clearly stated, so the possibility of reporting bias could not be ruled out.Harm outcomes could not be analysed as they were expressed only in percentages.We found no studies assessing mastoiditis, quinsy, abscess, meningitis, hospital admission or death.. There is insufficient evidence for antibiotic use as a means of reducing the risk of otitis or pneumonia in children up to five years of age with undifferentiated ARIs. Further high-quality research is needed to provide more definitive evidence of the effectiveness of antibiotics in this population.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Ampicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child, Preschool; Humans; Otitis; Pneumonia; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Suppuration

Acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) range from acute bronchitis and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis to pneumonia. Approximately five million people die from acute respiratory tract infections annually. Among these, pneumonia represents the most frequent cause of mortality, hospitalisation and medical consultation. Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic, structurally modified from erythromycin and noted for its activity against some gram-negative organisms associated with respiratory tract infections, particularly Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae).. To compare the effectiveness of azithromycin to amoxycillin or amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (amoxyclav) in the treatment of LRTI, in terms of clinical failure, incidence of adverse events and microbial eradication.. We searched CENTRAL (2014, Issue 10), MEDLINE (January 1966 to October week 4, 2014) and EMBASE (January 1974 to November 2014).. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs, comparing azithromycin to amoxycillin or amoxycillin/clavulanic acid in participants with clinical evidence of an acute LRTI, such as acute bronchitis, pneumonia and acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.. The review authors independently assessed all potential studies identified from the searches for methodological quality. We extracted and analysed relevant data separately. We resolved discrepancies through discussion. We initially pooled all types of acute LRTI in the meta-analyses. We investigated the heterogeneity of results using the forest plot and Chi(2) test. We also used the index of the I(2) statistic to measure inconsistent results among trials. We conducted subgroup and sensitivity analyses.. We included 16 trials involving 2648 participants. We were able to analyse 15 of the trials with 2496 participants. The pooled analysis of all the trials showed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of clinical failure on about days 10 to 14 between the two groups (risk ratio (RR), random-effects 1.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64 to 1.85). A subgroup analysis in trials with acute bronchitis participants showed significantly lower clinical failure in the azithromycin group compared to amoxycillin or amoxyclav (RR random-effects 0.63; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.88). A sensitivity analysis showed a non-significant reduction in clinical failure in azithromycin-treated participants (RR 0.55; 95% CI 0.25 to 1.21) in three adequately concealed studies, compared to RR 1.32; 95% CI 0.70 to 2.49 in 12 studies with inadequate concealment. Twelve trials reported the incidence of microbial eradication and there was no significant difference between the two groups (RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.87 to 1.03). The reduction of adverse events in the azithromycin group was RR 0.76 (95% CI 0.57 to 1.00).. There is unclear evidence that azithromycin is superior to amoxycillin or amoxyclav in treating acute LRTI. In patients with acute bronchitis of a suspected bacterial cause, azithromycin tends to be more effective in terms of lower incidence of treatment failure and adverse events than amoxycillin or amoxyclav. However, most studies were of unclear methodological quality and had small sample sizes; future trials of high methodological quality and adequate sizes are needed.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Bronchitis; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Pneumonia; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Failure

Undifferentiated acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a large and heterogeneous group of infections not clearly restricted to one specific part of the upper respiratory tract, which last for up to seven days. They are more common in pre-school children in low-income countries and are responsible for 75% of the total amount of prescribed antibiotics in high-income countries. One possible rationale for prescribing antibiotics is the wish to prevent bacterial complications.. To assess the effectiveness and safety of antibiotics in preventing complications in children aged two to 59 months with undifferentiated ARIs.. We searched CENTRAL 2013, Issue 4, MEDLINE (1950 to May week 2, 2013) and EMBASE (1974 to May 2013).. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) or quasi-RCTs comparing antibiotic prescriptions with placebo or non-treatment in children up to 59 months with an undifferentiated ARI for up to seven days.. Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted and analysed data using the standard Cochrane methodological procedures.. We identified four trials involving 1314 children. Three trials investigated the use of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid to prevent otitis and one investigated ampicillin to prevent pneumonia.The use of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid compared to placebo to prevent otitis showed a risk ratio (RR) of 0.70 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45 to 1.11, three trials, 414 selected children, moderate-quality evidence). Methods of random sequence generation and allocation concealment were not clearly stated in two trials. Performance, detection and reporting bias could not be ruled out in three trials.Ampicillin compared to supportive care (continuation of breastfeeding, clearing of the nose and paracetamol for fever control) to prevent pneumonia showed a RR of 1.05 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.49, one trial, 889 selected children, moderate-quality evidence). The trial was non-blinded. Random sequence generation and allocation concealment methods were not clearly stated so the possibility of reporting bias could not be ruled out.Harm outcomes could not be analysed as they were expressed only in percentages.No studies were found assessing mastoiditis, quinsy, abscess, meningitis, hospital admission or death.. The quality of evidence currently available does not provide strong support for antibiotic use as a means of reducing the risk of otitis or pneumonia in children up to five years of age with undifferentiated ARIs. Further high-quality research is needed to provide more definitive evidence of the effectiveness of antibiotics in this population.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Ampicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child, Preschool; Humans; Otitis; Pneumonia; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Suppuration

On the basis of strong research evidence, the pathogenesis of sinusitis involves 3 key factors: sinusostia obstruction, ciliary dysfunction, and thickening of sinus secretions. On the basis of studies of the microbiology of otitis media, H influenzae is playing an increasingly important role in the etiology of sinusitis, exceeding that of S pneumoniae in some areas, and b-lactamase production by H influenzae is increasing in respiratory isolates in the United States. On the basis of some research evidence and consensus,the presentation of acute bacterial sinusitis conforms to 1 of 3 predicable patterns; persistent, severe, and worsening symptoms. On the basis of some research evidence and consensus,the diagnosis of sinusitis should be made by applying strict clinical criteria. This approach will select children with upper respiratory infection symptoms who are most likely to benefit from an antibiotic. On the basis of some research evidence and consensus,imaging is not indicated routinely in the diagnosis of sinusitis. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging provides useful information when complications of sinusitis are suspected. On the basis of some research evidence and consensus,amoxicillin-clavulanate should be considered asa first-line agent for the treatment of sinusitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Child; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sinusitis; Virus Diseases

A high number of individuals in the population are exposed to antibiotics for the treatment of respiratory tract infections. It is important to review the adverse events profile related to antibiotic exposure during the clinical development of drugs that are or have been recently included in the therapeutic armamentarium.. Safety data from all 13 clinical trials of cefditoren on community acquired respiratory infections were reviewed. Safety population was defined as all randomized patients with at least one dose intake. Adverse events considered by investigators as related during antibiotic exposure were considered.. The overall safety population consisted in 4,592 patients for cefditoren and 2,784 for comparators. Overall reported diarrhoea related to cefditoren administration was significantly higher (p < or = 0.001) than comparators (9.9% vs 6.9%) due to the significant difference in the pooled pharyngotonsillitis studies (8.3% vs 3.2%), while no significant differences in others pathologies were found, with 9.4% (with cefditoren) vs 10.3% (with comparators) in the case of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Dyspepsia and abdominal pain were reported as adverse events in < 2.7% patients regardless the treated disease. In females population lower related vaginosis rate was found in cefditoren vs comparators, mainly due to differences among patients treated for sinusitis (4.5% vs 8.1%) and CAP (2.3% vs 5.5%) although differences were not significant (p = 0.017 and p = 0.008, respectively).. This study analysing reported adverse events from clinical trials showed an adverse events profile of cefditoren similar to those of standard antibiotics used in the treatment of respiratory tract infections.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cephalosporins; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; Community-Acquired Infections; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Male; Penicillins; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Superinfection; Vaginitis

Acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) range from acute bronchitis and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis to pneumonia. Approximately five million people die of acute respiratory tract infections annually. Among these, pneumonia represents the most frequent cause of mortality, hospitalization and medical consultation. Azithromycin is a new macrolide antibiotic, structurally modified from erythromycin and noted for its activity against some gram-negative organisms associated with respiratory tract infections, particularly Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae).. To compare the effectiveness of azithromycin to amoxycillin or amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (amoxyclav) in the treatment of LRTI, in terms of clinical failure, incidence of adverse events and microbial eradication.. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2007 Issue 2), MEDLINE (January 1966 to July 2007), and EMBASE (January 1974 to July 2007).. Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials, comparing azithromycin to amoxycillin or amoxycillin/clavulanic acid in participants with clinical evidence of acute LRTI: acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis were studied.. The criteria for assessing study quality were generation of allocation sequence, concealment of treatment allocation, blinding, and completeness of the trial. All types of acute LRTI were initially pooled in the meta-analyses. The heterogeneity of results was investigated by the forest plot and Chi-square test. Index of I-square (I(2)) was also used to measure inconsistent results among trials. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted.. Fifteen trials were analysed. The pooled analysis of all trials showed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of clinical failure on about day 10 to 14 between the two groups (relative risk (RR), random-effects 1.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64 to 1.85). Sensitivity analysis showed a reduction of clinical failure in azithromycin-treated participants (RR 0.55; 95% CI 0.25 to 1.21) in three adequately concealed studies, compared to RR 1.32; 95% CI 0.70 to 2.49 in 12 studies with inadequate concealment. Twelve trials reported the incidence of microbial eradication and there was no significant difference between the two groups (RR 0.95; 95% CI 0.87 to 1.03). The reduction of adverse events in the azithromycin group was RR 0.76 (95% CI 0.57 to 1.00).. There is unclear evidence that azithromycin is superior to amoxicillin or amoxyclav in treating acute LRTI. In patients with acute bronchitis of a suspected bacterial cause, azithromycin tends to be more effective in terms of lower incidence of treatment failure and adverse events than amoxicillin or amoxyclav. Future trials of high methodological quality are needed.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Bronchitis; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Pneumonia; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Failure

The antimicrobial spectrum and in vitro potency of the most frequently prescribed orally administered cephalosporins (cefaclor, cefdinir, cefpodoxime, cefprozil, cefuroxime axetil, cephalexin) and amoxicillin/clavulanate are reviewed. These beta-lactam agents have been widely used in the outpatient arena for the treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract and other mild-to-moderate infections. The data presented here were obtained from critical review articles on each of these compounds. Cephalexin and cefaclor were among the least potent and had the narrowest antimicrobial spectrums against the pathogens evaluated. In contrast, cefdinir, cefpodoxime, cefprozil, and cefuroxime were highly active against penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae and retained some activity against penicillin-intermediate strains, whereas amoxicillin/clavulanate was the most active against S. pneumoniae, including most penicillin nonsusceptible strains. Amoxicillin/clavulanate and cefdinir were the most potent compounds against methicillin (oxacillin)-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, whereas cefpodoxime was the most potent compound against Haemophilus influenzae. Amoxicillin/clavulanate, cefdinir, and cefpodoxime were also active against Moraxella catarrhalis, including beta-lactamase-producing strains. In summary, orally administered "3rd-generation" or extended spectrum cephalosporins exhibited more balanced spectrums of activity against the principal bacterial pathogens responsible for outpatient respiratory tract and other infections when compared with other widely used oral cephalosporins of earlier generations or amoxicillin alone.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Cephalosporins; Community-Acquired Infections; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Ampicillin; Ampicillin Resistance; beta-Lactamases; Cephalosporins; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Mutation; Penicillin Resistance; Penicillin-Binding Proteins; Penicillins; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Rising levels of resistance amongst the major respiratory pathogens have compromised empiric antimicrobial therapy. This, coupled with a recent lack in availability of novel classes of antibacterials, has led to a need for new approaches to combat community respiratory tract infections. Bacteriological and clinical efficacy in two trials involving patients with acute bacterial sinusitis and six trials of patients with community-acquired pneumonia has shown that the development of a pharmacokinetically enhanced formulation of amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin SR, available as Augmentin XR in the USA) has allowed amoxicillin/clavulanate to retain its place in the treatment of respiratory tract infections today.

Topics: Adult; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Community-Acquired Infections; Humans; Pneumonia; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sinusitis

Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 2000mg/125mg extended release (Augmentin XR), referred to herein as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid XR, is a pharmacokinetically enhanced formulation designed to provide more effective therapy in adults and adolescents than conventional formulations against community-acquired respiratory tract pathogens, particularly Streptococcus pneumoniae, with reduced susceptibility to amoxicillin. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid XR maintains plasma amoxicillin concentrations above 4 microg/mL for a mean of 49% of the dosing interval indicating that it would be highly effective against S. pneumoniae strains with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) above the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standard's amoxicillin +/- clavulanic acid susceptibility breakpoint of < or =2 microg/mL. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid XR is at least as effective as conventional amoxicillin/clavulanic acid formulations, levofloxacin and clarithromycin in treating community-acquired pneumonia, acute bacterial sinusitis or acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, and has a tolerability profile comparable to that of conventional amoxicillin/clavulanic acid formulations. While the incidence of amoxicillin- or multidrug-resistant S. pneumoniae is not currently sufficient in most regions to warrant the routine empirical use of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid XR, the drug would be extremely useful in those regions with a high incidence of resistant pathogens or in selected patients (i.e. those with S. pneumoniae isolates having amoxicillin MICs > or =2 microg/mL but < or =4 microg/mL).

Topics: Adult; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Bacterial Infections; Delayed-Action Preparations; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections

Acute bacterial respiratory tract infections cause a great deal of human morbidity and mortality. Treatment guidelines for these infections include macrolides, doxycycline, beta-lactams and beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations such as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid to provide coverage for the common respiratory pathogens, including penicillin and macrolide nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae, as well as beta-lactamase-producing Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. In response to recent guidelines recommending higher dose amoxicillin to extend coverage to a higher percentage of S. pneumoniae, a new formulation of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was developed. This formulation includes a higher amoxicillin dose, with part of the amoxicillin dose being in an extended release formulation, without increasing the clavulanate dose, for twice-daily oral treatment of these infections. Clinical studies of community-acquired pneumonia and acute rhinosinusitis have shown that the new formulation is well tolerated and highly efficacious, with clinical outcomes equivalent to comparators.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Delayed-Action Preparations; Humans; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections

Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 2000 mg/125 mg extended release (Augmentin XR), referred to herein as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid XR, is a pharmacokinetically enhanced formulation designed to provide more effective therapy in adults and adolescents than conventional formulations against community-acquired respiratory tract pathogens, particularly Streptococcus pneumoniae, with reduced susceptibility to amoxicillin.Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid XR maintains plasma amoxicillin concentrations >4 microg/mL for a mean of 49% of the dosing interval indicating that it would be highly effective against S. pneumoniae strains with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) above the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standard's amoxicillin +/- clavulanic acid susceptibility breakpoint of < or = 2 microg/mL. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid XR is at least as effective as conventional amoxicillin/clavulanic acid formulations, levofloxacin, and clarithromycin in treating community-acquired pneumonia, acute bacterial sinusitis, or acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, and has a tolerability profile comparable to that of conventional amoxicillin/clavulanic acid formulations. While the incidence of amoxicillin- or multidrug-resistant S. pneumoniae is not currently sufficient in most regions to warrant the routine empiric use of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid XR, the drug would be extremely useful in those regions with a high incidence of resistant pathogens or in selected patients (i.e. those with S. pneumoniae isolates having amoxicillin MICs > or = 2 microg/mL but < or = 4 microg/mL).

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Delayed-Action Preparations; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Treatment Outcome

Amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin) is a broad-spectrum antibacterial that has been available for clinical use in a wide range of indications for over 20 years and is now used primarily in the treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infections. Amoxicillin/clavulanate was developed to provide a potent broad spectrum of antibacterial activity, coverage of beta-lactamase-producing pathogens and a favourable pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profile. These factors have contributed to the high bacteriological and clinical efficacy of amoxicillin/clavulanate in respiratory tract infection over more than 20 years. This is against a background of increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, notably the continued spread of beta-lactamase-mediated resistance in Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis, and penicillin, macrolide and quinolone resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae. The low propensity of amoxicillin/clavulanate to select resistance mutations as well as a favourable PK/PD profile predictive of high bacteriological efficacy may account for the longevity of this combination in clinical use. However, in certain defined geographical areas, the emergence of S. pneumoniae strains with elevated penicillin MICs has been observed. In order to meet the need to treat drug-resistant S. pneumoniae, two new high-dose amoxicillin/clavulanate formulations have been developed. A pharmacokinetically enhanced tablet dosage form of amoxicillin/clavulanate 2000/125 mg twice daily (available as Augmentin XR in the USA), has been developed for use in adult respiratory tract infection due to drug-resistant pathogens, such as S. pneumoniae with reduced susceptibility to penicillin, as well as beta-lactamase-producing H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis. Amoxicillin/clavulanate 90/6.4 mg/kg/day in two divided doses (Augmentin ES-600) is for paediatric use in persistent or recurrent acute otitis media where there are risk factors for the involvement of beta-lactamase-producing strains or S. pneumoniae with reduced penicillin susceptibility. In addition to high efficacy, amoxicillin/clavulanate has a well known safety and tolerance profile of the two new high-dose formulations are not significantly different from those of conventional formulations. Amoxicillin/clavulanate is included in guidelines and recommendations for the treatment of bacterial sinusitis, acute otitis media, community-acquired pneumonia and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Community-Acquired Infections; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections

The pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profile of an antimicrobial agent provides important information that can be used to maximize bacteriologic and clinical efficacy, minimize selective pressure for the development of antimicrobial resistance, and determine an optimal dosing regimen. Judicious selection of an antimicrobial based on local susceptibility data and PK and PD parameters is imperative in this era of increasing resistance among Streptococcus pneumoniae, a leading cause of community-acquired respiratory tract infections. The beta-lactam antimicrobials display time-dependent bacterial killing with minimal to no persistent effects. Ketolides and fluoroquinolones display concentration-dependent bacterial killing, and tetracyclines and macrolides display time-dependent killing. All have prolonged persistent effects (e.g., postantibiotic effect) that retard or prevent bacterial regrowth when free drug levels fall below the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). New high-dose and/or extended-release formulations of traditional antimicrobials have been added to the current armamentarium for treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infections. These formulations include amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium powder for oral suspension 90/6.4 mg/kg per day divided every 12 hours (Augmentin ES-600; GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC), amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium extended-release tablets 2 x 1,000 mg/62.5 mg every 12 hours (Augmentin XR; GlaxoSmithKline), clarithromycin extended-release tablets 2 x 500 mg once daily (Biaxin XL; Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL), and cefaclor extended-release tablets 375 mg or 500 mg every 12 hours (Ceclor CD; Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals, Indianapolis, IN). Of these agents, only amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium powder for oral suspension and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium extended-release tablets were designed to treat infections caused by penicillin-resistant pneumococci (penicillin MIC < or =2 microg/mL). Extended-release clarithromycin does not provide higher daily doses than its immediate-release counterpart; rather, it allows for once-daily dosing of this agent because of its slower absorption following oral administration. Extended-release cefaclor is considered clinically equivalent to 250 mg of immediate-release cefaclor pulvules administered 3 times daily; it cannot be used interchangeably with 500 mg 3-times-daily dosages of other cefaclor formulations. Thus, despite provid

Topics: Administration, Oral; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Delayed-Action Preparations; Humans; Pneumococcal Infections; Powders; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Hallucinations caused by adverse reactions to medication are not uncommon and a wide variety of drugs may be involved. We present a case of hallucinations caused by therapeutic doses of oral clarithromycin (500 mg b.i.d).. A 32-year-old woman attended the Emergency Department of the hospital with severe visual hallucinations together with marked anxiety and nervousness following the second dose of clarithromycin, which was the only medication she was taking. The antibiotic was identified as the possible cause of the clinical manifestations and was stopped immediately. The patient did not require hospitalization and was discharged a few hours later with no signs of neurological disturbances. Clarithromycin was substituted by amoxycillin-clavulanic acid (500/125 mg) t.i.d.. The temporal relationship between commencement of antibiotic therapy and the appearance of hallucinations, together with the fact that the symptoms disappeared once the antibiotic was suspended, support a causal relationship between clarithromycin and the hallucinations. Further support for a causal relationship was obtained by application of Naranjo's algorithm which gave a likelihood level for causality of PROBABLE.

Topics: Adult; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anxiety; Clarithromycin; Dizziness; Female; Hallucinations; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections

There is a growing body of evidence that amoxicillin-clavulanic acid may induce severe adverse effects in patients.. A medline search of case reports and reviews on amoxicillin-clavulanic acid induced adverse effects was performed. The criteria of a consensus conference on the reporting of drug-induced liver disease were applied.. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid has been associated with drug-induced cholestatic hepatitis in 208 reported patients. In 153 evaluable patients there were 106 males and 47 females with a mean age of 60 years (1-90). Liver associated co-morbidity and co-medication does not play a major part in the development of disease. In most instances respiratory tract infection and sinusitis were treated by amoxicillin-clavulanic acid with a mean treatment duration of 13.9 days and a reaction time until first onset of jaundice of 25.2 days average. Infection and cholestasis from other reason were ruled out in most patients. Liver injury was classified according to laboratory parameters to be hepatocellular in 35 patients, cholestatic in 24 patients and mixed in 83 patients. Normalization of liver enzymes was observed 11.5 weeks after onset of drug administration (average); three of 153 patients did not survive the adverse event.. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid which is marketed for treatment of respiratory infections and sinusitis/otitis may in some cases induce severe adverse effects and death in patients of different age, especially if they are on multidrug regimens. In consideration of this fact many authors recommend to reflect carefully, whether amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is necessary in treatment of patients with localized or uncomplicated infections. If amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is prescribed, transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin tests should be obtained within the first two weeks and after four to five weeks after beginning of treatment to recognize early enough undesired hepatic side effects.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Americas; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Asia; Australia; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Child; Child, Preschool; Cholestasis; Comorbidity; Europe; Female; Humans; Infant; Liver Diseases; Liver Failure; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; Retrospective Studies; Sex Distribution

Topics: Administration, Oral; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bronchitis; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Haemophilus Infections; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Moraxella catarrhalis; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Neisseriaceae Infections; Pneumonia; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Bacterial Infections; Clavulanic Acids; Clinical Trials as Topic; Drug Therapy, Combination; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Genital Diseases, Female; Gonorrhea; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections

Cefprozil was evaluated in four multicentre comparative studies in the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections. In two studies, cefprozil 500 mg q. 12 hours was compared to cefaclor 500 mg q. eight hours for ten days of therapy. Randomization was on a 2:1 (cefprozil:cefaclor) basis in the European centres and 1:1 in North America. The clinical efficacy in acute bronchitis was 88% (284 out of 324 patients) for cefprozil and 88% (183 out of 208) for cefaclor, with successful bacteriological eradication of the causative pathogen in 86% and 82% of the patients, respectively. Amongst the patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, the clinical response rate of 80% (59 out of 74) for cefprozil appeared superior to that of cefaclor at 62% (p = 0.067), whilst the bacteriological response rates were 62% (36 out of 58) for cefprozil and 74% (20 out of 27) for cefaclor. In pneumonia, the clinical response rates for cefprozil and cefaclor therapy were similar, 82% vs. 79%, although bacteriological eradication rates were better for cefprozil at 82% than for cefaclor at 71%. In the comparison of cefprozil with cefuroxime axetil, a total of 170 patients were evaluable. The clinical and bacteriological response rates for cefprozil of 95% and 100% were better than those for cefuroxime axetil 500 mg q. 12 hours of 84% and 75%, respectively. In the cefprozil vs. amoxicillin-clavulanate, 500 mg q. eight hours comparative study, the two antibiotics displayed no significant difference in clinical or bacteriological responses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Bronchitis; Cefaclor; Cefprozil; Cefuroxime; Cephalosporins; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Pneumonia; Prodrugs; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections

The arrival of new cephalosporins faces the clinician with an evergrowing confusion as to the drug of choice. The older agents (cephalexin, cephradine, cefadroxil and cefaclor) and the newer formulations cefatrizine and cefuroxime axetil are intensively used for treatment of mild and moderate infections. The oldest agents have a better pharmacokinetic profile but are less active against Gram-positives and Gram-negatives. Cefaclor, cefatrizine and cefuroxime axetil have improved in vitro activity against H. influenzae and/or against S. aureus and M. catarrhalis. However the mean free serum concentrations after proposed standard daily doses of cefaclor (3 x 250 mg/d), cefatrizine (2 x 500 mg/d) and cefuroxime-axetil (2 x 250 mg/d) are lower than those of the older cephalosporins. In comparison amoxicillin-clavulanate is equally efficacious, has a more reliable pharmacokinetic profile and is less expensive than cefaclor and cefuroxime axetil in a comparable dose (e.g. 3 x 500 mg/d).

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Bacterial Infections; Cephalosporins; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Skin Diseases, Infectious; Structure-Activity Relationship

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Clavulanic Acids; Clinical Trials as Topic; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Surgical Wound Infection

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Combinations; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Ticarcillin

Topics: Adult; Aged; Amantadine; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Cephalosporins; Cyclophosphamide; Drug Combinations; Erythromycin; Ethambutol; Humans; Metronidazole; Pyrazinamide; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rifampin; Trimethoprim; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

To characterise the quality of life, healthcare use and costs associated with early antibiotic treatment of influenza-like illness (ILI) in 'at-risk' children.. Economic analysis of a two-arm double-blind parallel group pragmatic randomised controlled trial.. Children were recruited from community-based healthcare settings, including general practices, walk-in centres and hospital ambulatory care.. Children with risk factors for influenza-related complications, including respiratory, cardiac and neurological conditions, who presented within the first 5 days of an ILI.. Co-amoxiclav 400/57 suspension or placebo.. This economic analysis focused on quality of life measured by the EQ-5D-Y, symptoms assessed by the Canadian Acute Respiratory Infection and Flu Scale (CARIFS), healthcare use and costs including medication, hospital visits and admissions, general practitioner and nurse contacts. Outcomes were assessed for up to 28 days post randomisation.. Information on resource use, EQ-5D-Y (day 28) and CARIFS (day 7) was available for 265 (98%), 72 (27%) and 123 (45%) out of 271 participants, respectively. Average costs in the co-amoxiclav group were £25 lower (95% CI -£113 to £65), but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.566). The difference in EQ-5D-Y scores between groups was also not statistically significant (-0.014 (95% CI -0.124 to 0.096), p=0.798). However, day 7 CARIFS scores were 3.5 points lower in the co-amoxiclav arm (95% CI -6.9 to -0.1, p=0.044).. Our findings did not show evidence that early co-amoxiclav treatment improves quality of life or reduces healthcare use and costs in 'at-risk' children with ILI, but may reduce symptom severity though confirmation from further research would be important. Reliable data collection from children's parents/carers was challenging, and resulted in high levels of missing data, which is common in pragmatic trials involving children with acute respiratory tract infections.. ISRCTN70714783; EudraCT 2013-002822-21.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Canada; Child; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Delivery of Health Care; Humans; Influenza, Human; Quality of Life; Respiratory Tract Infections; Virus Diseases

Postoperative infection after hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) confers significant morbidity to a healthy patient group. Current UK guidelines cite a lack of evidence for routine antibiotic prophylaxis. This trial assessed if a single preoperative antibiotic dose could reduce post HALDN infections.. Eligible donors were randomly and blindly allocated to preoperative single-dose intravenous co-amoxiclav or saline. The primary composite endpoint was clinical evidence of any postoperative infection at 30 days, including surgical site infection (SSI), urinary tract infection (UTI), and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI).. In all, 293 participants underwent HALDN (148 antibiotic arm and 145 placebo arm). Among them, 99% (291/293) completed follow-up. The total infection rate was 40.7% (59/145) in the placebo group and 23% (34 of 148) in the antibiotic group (P = 0.001). Superficial SSIs were 20.7% (30/145 patients) in the placebo group versus 10.1% (15/148 patients) in the antibiotic group (P = 0.012). LRTIs were 9% (13/145) in the placebo group and 3.4% (5/148) in the antibiotic group (P = 0.046). UTIs were 4.1% (6/145) in the placebo group and 3.4% (5/148) in the antibiotic group (P = 0.72).Antibiotic prophylaxis conferred a 17.7% (95% confidence interval 7.2%-28.1%), absolute risk reduction in developing postoperative infection, with 6 donors requiring treatment to prevent 1 infection.. Single-dose preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis dramatically reduces post-HALDN infection rates, mainly impacting SSIs and LRTIs.

Topics: Adult; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Laparoscopy; Living Donors; Male; Middle Aged; Nephrectomy; Respiratory Tract Infections; Surgical Wound Infection; United Kingdom; Urinary Tract Infections

To compare efficacy of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefovecin, and doxycycline in shelter-housed cats with clinical signs of upper respiratory tract disease (URTD).. Randomized prospective clinical trial. Animals-48 cats with URTD.. Conjunctival and nasal swab specimens were obtained for culture and susceptibility testing, and cats were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups (16 cats/group) on day 1: amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (12.5 mg/kg [5.68 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h, for 14 days), cefovecin (8.0 mg/kg [3.64 mg/lb], SC, once), or doxycycline (10.0 mg/kg [4.55 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h, for 14 days). Oculonasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, dyspnea, demeanor, and food intake were scored twice daily for 14 days (scale, 0 [subjectively normal] to 3 [markedly abnormal]).. The most common bacterial isolates were Mycoplasma spp (n = 22) and Bordetella bronchiseptica (9). Cats treated with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid or doxycycline had significantly increased body weight by day 14. Cats that received doxycycline had significantly lower overall oculonasal discharge scores than those treated with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid or cefovecin. Cats treated with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid or doxycycline had significantly lower overall sneezing scores than those that received cefovecin. Cats that received amoxicillin-clavulanic acid had significantly decreased demeanor and food intake scores on day 2, whereas this was detected later in other groups (demeanor score on days 5 and 7 and food intake score on days 10 and 11 in the cefovecin and doxycycline groups, respectively).. Oral administration of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid or doxycycline appeared to be more effective than a single SC injection of cefovecin in treating cats with clinical signs of URTD.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cephalosporins; Doxycycline; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Housing, Animal; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections

Beta-lactamase producing bacteria present a major problem in treating lower respiratory tract infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of cefotaxime-sulbactam combination versus amoxicillin-clavulanic acid injection as an alternative therapeutic option for treatment of lower respiratory tract infections in pediatric patients.. This randomized, multicentric, comparative study enrolled 102 inpatients with lower respiratory tract infections, in the age range of 3 months - 12 years. Patients received cefotaxime-sulbactam or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid injection intravenously for up to 7 days.. There was no difference between the two groups in demography or disease characteristics (p > 0.05) at baseline. Efficacy was evaluated in a total of 96 patients. Both the treatment groups were comparable in response rate at the end of the therapy (p > 0.05). Clinical success rate was 93.6% and 89.8%, respectively for cefotaxime-sulbactam and co-amoxiclav. One patient from the cefotaxime-sulbactam group reported convulsions, which were probably not related to the study medication in the opinion of the investigator. Except for this serious adverse event, both the study medications were safe and well tolerated in the study population.. In conclusion, cefotaxime-sulbactam administered 3 times a day for up to 7 days was found to be as effective as co-amoxiclav therapy. However, further studies with a large number of patients are required to confirm these findings with more robust microbiological evaluation.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Cefotaxime; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sulbactam

The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to compare amoxicillin-clavulanic acid with cefazolin as ultra-short term prophylaxis in vaginal gynecologic surgery. It was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari. Patients were randomly allocated to receive amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (2.2 g) [Group A] or cefazolin (2 g) [Group B] as a single dose 30 minutes before surgery. Each patient was assessed daily until discharge to evidence febrile status and the presence of infections at the operative site, urinary tract and respiratory tract. In the amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (Group A) and cefazolin (Group B) groups, overall 88 and 90 patients, respectively, were evaluable for prophylactic efficacy at hospital discharge. Infectious complications were infrequent in both arms, with febrile morbidity occurring in 4 (4.5%) and 16 (8.9%) patients respectively in the amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cefazolin groups (p=0.016). Urinary tract infections were higher but not significantly in the amoxicillin-clavulanic acid group (6.8% versus 4.4 %), whereas asymptomatic bacteriuria was detected in 2.2% of the patients in both groups. There was no respiratory tract infection or septic death in either group. It is concluded that ultra-short term prophylaxis with both amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cefazolin is safe and effective in elective vaginal gynecologic surgery.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Cefazolin; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Tract Infections; Surgical Wound Infection; Urinary Tract Infections; Vaginal Diseases

Rising levels of resistance amongst the major respiratory pathogens have compromised empiric antimicrobial therapy. This, coupled with a recent lack in availability of novel classes of antibacterials, has led to a need for new approaches to combat community respiratory tract infections. Bacteriological and clinical efficacy in two trials involving patients with acute bacterial sinusitis and six trials of patients with community-acquired pneumonia has shown that the development of a pharmacokinetically enhanced formulation of amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin SR, available as Augmentin XR in the USA) has allowed amoxicillin/clavulanate to retain its place in the treatment of respiratory tract infections today.

Topics: Adult; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Community-Acquired Infections; Humans; Pneumonia; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sinusitis

Breast-feeding is considered the gold standard for infant nutrition. In spite of statements about the safe use of drugs in lactation by the American Academy of Pediatrics, medical professionals remain confused regarding the management of drug therapy in nursing mothers, and this can lead to suboptimal prescribing and poor compliance. The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety of 2 of the newer antibiotics, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and cefuroxime, during lactation. Breast-feeding women who called a drug consultation center to obtain information about the potential risks of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (67 women) and cefuroxime (38 women) were prospectively recruited. As a control group, women who were treated with antibiotics known to be safe during lactation were recruited: amoxicillin (n = 40) for the amoxicillin/clavulanic acid group and cephalexin (n = 11) for the cefuroxime group. Women in the control group were matched for indication for antibiotic therapy, duration of treatment, and maternal age. Participants were interviewed after treatment termination regarding adverse reactions during therapy. In the amoxicillin/clavulanic acid group, 15 infants (22.3%) had adverse effects, and the rate increased with dosage (P = 0.0139). This was significantly higher than the amoxicillin group, where 3 infants (7.5%) had adverse effects (P = 0.046, relative risk (RR) = 2.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92-9.68). However, there were no significant differences between rates of specific events. The rate of adverse effects in the cefuroxime group (2.6%) was not significantly different from that in controls (9%) (P = 0.58, OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.94-1.06). All adverse effects were minor, self-limiting, and did not necessitate interruption of breast-feeding. Our data suggest that amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and cefuroxime may be safe during lactation. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Topics: Adult; Alanine Transaminase; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Breast Feeding; Cefuroxime; Clavulanic Acid; Diarrhea, Infantile; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Exanthema; Female; Humans; Infant; Lactation; Mastitis; Maternal Age; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Tract Infections

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in such patients. Although bacterial and/or viral infections are considered as the major precipitating factor, the antibiotic strategy in this setting is unclear. The potential benefit of routine antibiotic therapy in the absence of evidence of overt infection remains controversial, and has not been adequately studied in patients admitted to the ICU. To assess the benefit (or lack thereof) of routine early systemic antibiotic therapy in patients with COLD admitted to the ICU.. This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial, comparing amoxicillin-clavulanic acid administered for 7 days to a placebo. Patients included are those with documented or suspected COLD, exclusive of other bronchial or lung disease, and admitted for acute exacerbation, in the absence of overt sepsis or broncho-pneumonia, and having no other organ failure. Patients recently hospitalized, having received antibiotics for > 24 h, or on long-term steroids will not be included. Co-interventions (bronchodilators, steroids) are controlled for. Patients will be administered the antibiotic or placebo within 24 hours of admission.. A 20% reduction of the duration of clinical symptoms of exacerbation is expected. To this end, 520 patients are planned to be included in 15 centers in a 2-year period. Secondary end-points are the incidence of documented infection (lower respiratory tract or other sites), antibiotic use, the proportion of patients having infection with resistant bacteria, the incidence of endotracheal intubation, the duration of stay and mortality in the ICU and the hospital.

Topics: Acute Disease; Administration, Oral; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Critical Care; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Monitoring; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Incidence; Intubation, Intratracheal; Length of Stay; Morbidity; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

The efficacy of a new pharmacokinetically enhanced formulation of amoxycillin/clavulanate (AMX/CA) 2000/125 mg, twice daily, designed to provide adequate levels of amoxycillin over the 12-h dosing interval to eradicate penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) with amoxycillin (+/-clavulanic acid) MICs of /=4 mg/l. In the pooled comparator group, the success rate at follow-up was 86.5% (45/52). For PRSP (AMX/CA MICs of 0.5-8 mg/l), the overall success rate was 98.2% (55/56) at follow-up for AMX/CA 2000/125 mg and 50.0% (2/4) for comparators. AMX/CA 2000/125 mg shows efficacy comparable to that of the comparators evaluated against S. pneumoniae infections. Due to its favorable pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile and promising clinical success, the new AMX/CA 2000/125 mg formulation should be considered for the empirical treatment of respiratory tract infections in regions with a high prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant S. pneumoniae and in patients at high risk of antimicrobial-resistant S. pneumoniae infection as this formulation covers many PRSP that are non-susceptible to amoxycillin (+/-clavulanic acid) (MICs of >/=4 mg/l) as well as common beta-lactamase-producing respiratory pathogens.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Bronchitis; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Treatment Outcome

To assess the equivalence of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and placebo in the prevention of acute otitis media in children at high risk of acute otitis media who develop upper respiratory tract infection.. This was a multicentre, equivalence, randomized, double-blind trial of two parallel groups comparing 5 days of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 75 mg kg-1 day-1 (i.e. 25 mg kg-1 every 8 h) and placebo. The main outcome measure was acute otitis media occurring within 8-12 days of initiating treatment.. Two hundred and three infants, aged 3 months-3 years with upper respiratory tract infection over 36 h and a history of recurrent acute otitis media were included over 8.5 months. Two children were lost to follow-up. Patient characteristics were similar in both groups. In the intention to treat analysis the frequency of acute otitis media was 16.2% (16/99) in the placebo group and 9.6% (10/104) in the amoxicillin/clavulanic acid group (P = 0.288). The difference between acute otitis media rates was 6.6% (one-sided 95% confidence interval of 14.3%). The occurrence of side-effects was similar in the amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and placebo groups.. The difference in effectiveness between antibiotic and placebo was not greater than 14.3%, and we calculated that 94 children would need to be exposed to antibiotics to avoid six cases of acute otitis media. In view of the risk of development of resistance due to frequent exposure to antibiotics, our study supports the need for reduction in the administration of antibiotics in upper respiratory tract infection even in children at high risk of acute otitis media.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Child, Preschool; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Infant; Otitis Media; Recurrence; Respiratory Tract Infections; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome; Virus Diseases

To compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of a 3 day course of azithromycin with a 10 day course of co-amoxiclav in the treatment of children with acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), 118 patients with community-acquired LRTI were included in a multicentre randomized double-blind, double-dummy study. The diagnosis of LRTI was based on the presence of respiratory signs and symptoms in combination with consolidation on a chest radiograph or clinical evidence of LRTI. Patients received oral azithromycin suspension (10 mg/kg/24 h) or placebo in one dose for 3 days and co-amoxiclav (45/11.25 mg/kg/24 h) or placebo in three doses for 10 days. Of 110 eligible patients, 56 and 54 patients, respectively, were treated with azithromycin or co-amoxiclav. The percentage of patients cured or clinically improved at days 10-13 (primary endpoint) was 91% for azithromycin and 87% for co-amoxiclav. This difference of 4% (90% confidence interval: -6%, +14%) was not statistically significant (P= 0.55). Significantly (P = 0.01) more related adverse events were found in the co-amoxiclav group. This was largely due to a higher percentage (43% versus 19%) of gastrointestinal complaints. A 3 day course of azithromycin (three doses) is as effective in the treatment of LRTI in children as a 10 day course of co-amoxiclav (30 doses). The azithromycin group had fewer adverse events. We conclude that azithromycin is an effective, safe and well-tolerated drug in the treatment of children with LRTI. An additional advantage is the easy administration and short duration of therapy.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Child; Child, Preschool; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Outcome

Examination of 60 elderly outpatients with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) revealed that 73 per cent of the patients isolated the pathogen associations and only 27 per cent isolated the monocultures. Grampositive cocci including Streptococcus pneumoniae were isolated from 70 per cent of the patients, Haemophilus influenzae and H.parainfluenzae were isolated from 20 per cent of the patients and Acinetobacter spp., Citrobacter spp., Enterobacter spp., Proteus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginsa were isolated from 10 per cent of the patients. The patients were treated with ciprofloxacin, cefaclor or amoxycillin/clavulanic acid. Ciprofloxacin proved to be the most efficient agent. The regimens of the ofloxacin use in a dose of 400 mg orally once a day or in a dose of 200 mg intravenously twice a day for 2-4 days followed by the oral use for 6-8 days in the treatment of 24 patients with LRTI hospitalized into a therapeutic unit were compared. it was shown (pharmacokinetically as well) that the regiment with the drug use in the single dose was more efficient. Lomefloxacin was suggested to be the most advantageous drug in the treatment of elderly patients with LRTI because of its easy use, practically no dependence of the pharmacokinetics on the patient age and almost no nephrotoxic action.

Topics: Aged; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Infective Agents; Cefaclor; Cephalosporins; Ciprofloxacin; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Fluoroquinolones; Humans; Male; Quinolones; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Administration, Oral; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Cephalosporins; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Prescriptions; Drug Therapy, Combination; Economics, Hospital; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Patient Compliance; Quality Assurance, Health Care; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Outcome; United Kingdom

A 3-day regimen of azithromycin (500 mg once daily) and a 10-day regimen of co-amoxiclav (625 mg three times daily) were compared in a double-blind study of 67 patients with acute infectious exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AIECBs, n = 54), acute bronchitis (n = 7), or pneumonia (n = 6). In patients treated with azithromycin, satisfactory clinical responses (cure or improvement) were seen in 24/28 (86%) patients with AIECBs, 2/4 (50%) with acute bronchitis and 2/2 (100%) with pneumonia. Responses were satisfactory in 24/26 (92%), 4/4 (100%) and 4/4 (100%) patients, respectively, receiving co-amoxiclav. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were the commonest pathogens isolated at baseline. At the end of treatment, baseline pathogens were eradicated in 9/10 microbiologically-assessable patients treated with azithromycin and in 10/10 treated with co-amoxiclav. Adverse events related or possibly related to treatment occurred in five patients in each treatment group; the majority of these events affected the gastrointestinal system. One patient in each treatment group discontinued therapy because of adverse events. The study, therefore, demonstrates that 500 mg azithromycin administered once daily for 3 days is as efficacious and well tolerated as co-amoxiclav given three times daily for 10 days in the domiciliary treatment of adults with acute lower respiratory tract infections.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Clavulanic Acids; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections

Clinical and bacteriological efficacy and tolerability of azithromycin (500 mg once daily for 3 days) and those of a 10-day regimen of co-amoxiclav (37 mg three times daily) were evaluated in a large-scale, double-blind comparative study of 369 patients (> or = 18 years old) with acute lower respiratory tract infections. After treatment, 165/173 (95%) azithromycin- and 166/173 (96%) co-amoxiclav-treated patients had responded satisfactorily (cure or improvement). Baseline pathogens (mainly Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae) were eradicated in 82/82 (100%) azithromycin- and 73/74 (99%) co-amoxiclav-treated patients who were bacteriologically assessable. Adverse events, which were predominantly of mild to moderate severity and mostly affected the gastrointestinal system, were recorded in 13/186 (7%) azithromycin- and 19/183 (10%) co-amoxiclav-treated patients. Only two (1%) azithromycin-treated patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events compared with eight (4%) who received co-amoxiclav. The results show that azithromycin at a dose of 500 mg once daily for 3 days is an effective and safe alternative to a 10-day, three-times-daily course of co-amoxiclav in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections in adults.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Clavulanic Acids; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Outcome

A cost-effectiveness study of roxithromycin versus amoxycillin/clavulanic acid using data from a 242 patient multicentre trial in Australia and New Zealand was undertaken in the general practice treatment of infections of the lower respiratory tract (LRTI). Those patients assigned to roxithromycin required on average 1 day less of treatment, significantly fewer extended courses of treatment, and fewer patients experienced side effects considered to be related to the treatment. The cost benefit (difference between the two treatment costs) per clinical success was A$17.04*. By substituting roxithromycin for amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, Australia would save A$ 1.704 million per 100,000 episodes of LRTI. The results demonstrate that savings in direct costs can be achieved by substituting roxithromycin for amoxycillin/clavulanic acid in the treatment of community-acquired LRTI.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Clavulanic Acids; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; Roxithromycin

Two hundred and forty-two patients over 16 years of age with community-acquired lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), matched for age and sex, were randomised to receive either roxithromycin 150 mg b.i.d. or amoxycillin 500 mg/clavulanic acid 125 mg t.i.d. for 7 days, with a further 7 days if insufficient response was seen. Clinical efficacy at 7 days was 69% for roxithromycin and 56% for amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (p = 0.05) and at study end it was 91% for both antibiotics. There were fewer second treatment courses in the roxithromycin group (26% vs. 38%, p = 0.04) and a shorter treatment duration (8.29 days vs. 9.34 days, p > 0.05). Twelve patients (9.8%) treated with roxithromycin and 19 (17.1%) treated with amoxycillin/clavulanic acid had adverse effects possibly, or probably, related to the antibiotic. Roxithromycin appears to be a more appropriate choice than amoxycillin/clavulanic acid for the treatment of LRTI in the community given its more appropriate in vitro spectrum, efficacy against most common and atypical pathogens, greater cost-effectiveness, more convenient dosage regimen (b.i.d.), and superior tolerability profile.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Tract Infections; Roxithromycin; Treatment Outcome

To see whether there is a difference in outcome between patients treated with oral and intravenous antibiotics for lower respiratory tract infection.. Open controlled trial in patients admitted consecutively and randomised to treatment with either oral co-amoxiclav, intravenous followed by oral co-amoxiclav, or intravenous followed by oral cephalosporins.. Large general hospital in Dublin.. 541 patients admitted for lower respiratory tract infection during one year. Patients represented 87% of admissions with the diagnosis and excluded those who were immunocompromised and patients with severe life threatening infection.. Cure, partial cure, extended antibiotic treatment, change of antibiotic, death, and cost and duration of hospital stay.. There were no significant differences between the groups in clinical outcome or mortality (6%). However, patients randomised to oral co-amoxiclav had a significantly shorter hospital stay than the two groups given intravenous antibiotic (median 6 v 7 and 9 days respectively). In addition, oral antibiotics were cheaper, easier to administer, and if used routinely in the 800 or so patients admitted annually would lead to savings of around 176,000 pounds a year.. Oral antibiotics in community acquired lower respiratory tract infection are at least as efficacious as intraveous therapy. Their use reduces labour and equipment costs and may lead to earlier discharge from hospital.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Clavulanic Acids; Community-Acquired Infections; Drug Costs; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Hospital Costs; Hospitals, General; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Length of Stay; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sputum; Treatment Outcome

We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine whether acute otitis media could be prevented by antibiotic therapy initiated promptly after the appearance of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. One hundred four children aged 1 to 4 years received a 7-day course of either amoxicillin-clavulanate or placebo. Acute otitis media developed in 9 (18%) of the 50 children receiving amoxicillin clavulanate and in 12 (22%) of the 54 children receiving placebo (p = 0.59).

Topics: Acute Disease; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Chi-Square Distribution; Child, Preschool; Clavulanic Acids; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Otitis Media; Respiratory Tract Infections; Statistics, Nonparametric; Time Factors

52 children with severe cough persisting for more than 10 days were randomized to treatment with amoxycillin/clavulanic acid or placebo in a prospective double-blinded study. Clinically suspected cases of pertussis were excluded, yet 12 (23%) of the children had laboratory verified pertussis infection. The nasopharyngeal colonization showed a predominance of Moraxella catarrhalis which was isolated in 37 (71%) children. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were isolated in 11 (20%) and 16 (30%) children, respectively. The antibiotic-treated group had a significantly better recovery in both the pediatrician's estimation (p = 0.02) and the independent parental judgement (p = 0.002). These findings are consistent with the view that Moraxella catarrhalis could be directly involved in the pathogenesis of persistent cough in children.

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Child; Child, Preschool; Clavulanic Acids; Cough; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Moraxella catarrhalis; Neisseriaceae Infections; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Outcome; Whooping Cough

Cefprozil was evaluated in four multicentre comparative studies in the treatment of acute respiratory tract infections. In two studies, cefprozil 500 mg q. 12 hours was compared to cefaclor 500 mg q. eight hours for ten days of therapy. Randomization was on a 2:1 (cefprozil:cefaclor) basis in the European centres and 1:1 in North America. The clinical efficacy in acute bronchitis was 88% (284 out of 324 patients) for cefprozil and 88% (183 out of 208) for cefaclor, with successful bacteriological eradication of the causative pathogen in 86% and 82% of the patients, respectively. Amongst the patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, the clinical response rate of 80% (59 out of 74) for cefprozil appeared superior to that of cefaclor at 62% (p = 0.067), whilst the bacteriological response rates were 62% (36 out of 58) for cefprozil and 74% (20 out of 27) for cefaclor. In pneumonia, the clinical response rates for cefprozil and cefaclor therapy were similar, 82% vs. 79%, although bacteriological eradication rates were better for cefprozil at 82% than for cefaclor at 71%. In the comparison of cefprozil with cefuroxime axetil, a total of 170 patients were evaluable. The clinical and bacteriological response rates for cefprozil of 95% and 100% were better than those for cefuroxime axetil 500 mg q. 12 hours of 84% and 75%, respectively. In the cefprozil vs. amoxicillin-clavulanate, 500 mg q. eight hours comparative study, the two antibiotics displayed no significant difference in clinical or bacteriological responses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Bronchitis; Cefaclor; Cefprozil; Cefuroxime; Cephalosporins; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Pneumonia; Prodrugs; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Adult; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Clavulanic Acids; Community-Acquired Infections; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Drug Costs; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; New Zealand; Respiratory Tract Infections; Roxithromycin

Brodimoprim is a long acting broad spectrum antibacterial agent. It is a new selective inhibitor of bacterial dihydrofolate reductase, structurally related to trimethoprim. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of brodimoprim (10 mg/kg on the first day, 5 mg/kg/die onward) in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in children (age range: 2-14 years). This open group comparative study was performed either in 68 children affected by bacterial pharyngotonsillitis (37 treated with brodimoprim, 31 with erythromycin 560 mg/kg/8 hours) or in 50 patients affected by otitis media (25 treated with brodimoprim, 25 with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 50 mg/kg/12 hours) or in 52 patients affected by acute sinusitis (25 treated with brodimoprim, 27 with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 50 mg/kg/12 hours). All patients were clinically evaluated before admission, during the trial and 48 hours after the last dose of antibiotic. At the same time blood and secretion samples were collected for hematology/biochemistry and microbiological assays. A total of 170 subjects were treated and 141 patients demonstrated a clinical recovery/improvement following the treatment period, with approximately the same recovery rate (83%) among the groups. The bacteriological response was evaluated in 169 subjects. Eradication of pathogens was documented in 27 subjects treated with brodimoprim and 28 with erythromycin in the pharyngotonsillitis group, in 22 subjects treated with brodimoprim and 16 with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in the otitis group and in 17 subjects treated with brodimoprim and 20 with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in the sinusitis group. The overall eradication in brodimoprim treated patients was 77% in comparison with 76% of eradication obtained in the control groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Adolescent; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Child; Child, Preschool; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Erythromycin; Humans; Otitis Media; Pharyngitis; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sinusitis; Tonsillitis; Trimethoprim

The efficacy and safety of a three-day regimen of azithromycin (500 mg od) and a ten-day regimen of co-amoxiclav (625 mg tid) were compared in a single-blind study in 99 patients with acute lower respiratory tract infections. Of these, 70 (71%) suffered an infective exacerbation of their chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Nine patients had pneumonia and 19 purulent bronchitis. Treatment success, defined as cure or improvement, occurred in 43 of 48 (90%) patients in the azithromycin group, compared with 45 of 51 (88%) patients in the co-amoxiclav group. The most common isolated pathogens were Haemophilus influenzae (25 cases; MIC range of azithromycin (A) < or = 0.06-4 mg/L; for co-amoxiclav (CA) 0.25-4 mg/L; Streptococcus pneumoniae (10 cases; A: < or = 0.06- > 128; CA: < or = 0.06); and Moraxella catarrhalis (four cases; A: < or = 0.06; CA: < or = 0.06-0.25). Microbiological response rates were comparable in the two groups. In 5% of patients, serological evidence for virus or atypical pathogens was found. Thirteen (26%) patients treated with co-amoxiclav had gastrointestinal complaints (seven with diarrhoea), compared with five (10%) treated with azithromycin (P = 0.09). Additional complaints occurred in three patients treated with co-amoxiclav and in one patient treated with azithromycin. It was concluded that a three-day regimen of azithromycin was as effective, clinically and microbiologically, as a ten-day regimen of co-amoxiclav in the treatment of acute lower respiratory tract infections.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Azithromycin; Bronchitis; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Combinations; Erythromycin; Female; Haemophilus Infections; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Moraxella catarrhalis; Neisseriaceae Infections; Pneumococcal Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Single-Blind Method; Streptococcus pneumoniae

In a large multinational study, the clinical and bacteriological efficacy of intravenous cefuroxime 750 mg t.i.d. followed by oral cefuroxime axetil 500 mg b.i.d. was compared to that of amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid (CA) administered as 1.2 g intravenously t.i.d. followed by 625 mg orally t.i.d. in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections in hospitalised patients. A total of 512 patients were entered (256 in each treatment group). All were suffering from pneumonia or acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis and required initial parenteral antibiotic therapy. Parenteral therapy lasted 48 to 72 h and was followed by five days of oral therapy. The clinical responses in the two treatment groups were very similar: 223 of 256 (87.1%) patients were cured or improved with cefuroxime/cefuroxime axetil compared to 220 of 256 (85.9%) with amoxicillin/CA. Positive pre-treatment sputum samples were obtained from 44% of the patients. Clearance rates obtained were again similar: 72.8% with cefuroxime/cefuroxime axetil and 70% with amoxicillin/CA. Ten percent of the isolates were beta-lactamase producers, similar numbers of which were cleared in both groups. Both regimens were generally well tolerated, with only 5% of patients treated with the cefuroxime regimen and 4.3% of patients treated with amoxicillin/CA experiencing drug-related adverse events. Cefuroxime/cefuroxime axetil "follow-on" therapy produces clinical and bacteriological efficacy equivalent to that of amoxicillin/CA, with the advantage of twice daily oral administration.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Bronchiectasis; Bronchitis; Cefuroxime; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia; Prodrugs; Respiratory Tract Infections

We prospectively studied 271 infants and children (2 months to 7 years of age) with acute otitis media (AOM) for viral and bacterial causes, outcome at the end of therapy, and frequency of recurrence within 1 month. Comprehensive virologic methods, including viral antigen detection, cell culture, and serologic studies, were used to diagnose viral infection of the respiratory tract, middle ear, or both. Evidence of viral infection was found in 46% (124/271) of patients with AOM. Sixty-six patients (24%) had virus or viral antigen in the middle ear fluid; 50 of these patients (76%) also had bacteria in middle ear fluid, and 16 (24%) had virus alone. More patients with AOM and combined bacterial and viral infection (51%) had persistent otitis (3 to 12 days after institution of antibiotic treatment), compared with those with only bacterial otitis (35%; p = 0.05) or patients with only viral infection (19%; p less than 0.01). Of patients with only viral infection, 4 of 10 with virus in middle ear fluid had persistent otitis, compared with none of 11 patients who had virus only in nasal wash specimens or whose viral infection was diagnosed only by serologic studies. Our data suggest that viruses interact with bacteria and that concurrent viral infection can significantly worsen the clinical course of bacterial AOM. The presence of virus in middle ear fluid may contribute to the pathogenesis and outcome of bacterial AOM. The mechanism of these interactions deserve further investigation.

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Bacterial Infections; Cefpodoxime; Ceftizoxime; Clarithromycin; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Erythromycin; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Otitis Media; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Outcome; Virus Diseases

The results of an open randomised trial comparing the efficacy of parenteral and oral ofloxacin with that of amoxycillin clavulanate are reported. Of 121 patients enrolled, 92 were clinically evaluable, of whom 59 were treated with ofloxacin and 33 with amoxycillin clavulanate. In the ofloxacin group all patients improved clinically, while in the amoxycillin clavulanate group 94% improved and 6% were clinical failures. In the ofloxacin group 95% showed satisfactory bacteriological response, while in the amoxicillin clavulanate group the bacteriological response was judged satisfactory in 82% of the patients. Seven percent of the patients had mild side effects (headache, nausea, vomiting and skin rashes). All of these side effects disappeared after treatment. We conclude that ofloxacin is a safe and effective drug in oral and parenteral forms for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Bacterial Infections; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Middle Aged; Ofloxacin; Respiratory Tract Infections

A comparison of oral amoxycillin (500 mg tds) with amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (Augmentin; 750 mg tds) for 7 to 10 days was completed in 76 patients with lower respiratory infection. In another 9 patients, intravenous Augmentin alone was administered (1.2 g 8 hourly) for 3 days followed by oral doses as above for 7 days. In 50 (59%) patients the underlying chronic lung disease was bronchiectasis. Clinical improvement (1 + or more) was seen in 66% with amoxycillin, 60% with oral Augmentin and 56% with IV Augmentin. For radiographic improvement the respective figures were 47, 53 and 44 per cent. Bacteriologically, elimination was seen in 8% with amoxycillin and 45% with Augmentin (P less than 0.01), while partial success was seen in 16 and 24 per cent respectively. While for gram positive organisms, both drugs were similar in efficacy, for gram negative strains the overall success was 27% with amoxycillin and 67% with Augmentin. The main organisms isolated were Str pneumoniae (12), Klebsiella (41), Pseudomonas (21), E coli (9), Haemophilus (7) and Staph aureus (6). For bacteriologic sensitivity and consequent success, Augmentin may be superior in respiratory infections.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; Single-Blind Method

This paper reports the results of a pilot study which examined factors associated with chest infection following head and neck surgery. The overall rate of chest infection was 11%, but was 20% in those patients having a tracheotomy. No infection developed in patients with an intact airway. Other factors which emerged as possibly important were the duration of surgery and heavy regular alcohol intake. We recommend that prophylactic antibiotics be continued for at least 48 h in patients requiring a tracheotomy as part of their head and neck surgery. This is against the trend of shorter antibiotic regimens recommended for prevention of wound infections.

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Ampicillin; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Floxacillin; Humans; Metronidazole; Middle Aged; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; Pilot Projects; Postoperative Complications; Premedication; Respiratory Tract Infections

We conducted an open randomized trial to compare the efficacy of parenteral and oral ofloxacin with that of amoxycillin/clavulanate. A total of 121 patients was studied; 92 were clinically evaluable. Of these, 59 patients were treated with ofloxacin and 33 with the comparator drug. Patients were given the drugs intravenously for a minimum of three days followed by oral preparations for the next seven to ten days. Ofloxacin was usually administered as a 200 mg dose bd. In the ofloxacin treated group all patients showed clinical improvement. In the comparator group 94% improved clinically (either a complete or partial response), while 6% were clinical failures. Of the bacteriologically evaluable patients 19 of 20 showed a satisfactory bacteriological response in the ofloxacin treated group, while in the comparator group the bacteriological response was judged satisfactory in 14 of 17 patients. A small proportion of patients (7%) treated with ofloxacin suffered mild adverse effects (nausea, vomiting, headache, hypotension and rash). On the whole, ofloxacin was well tolerated by our patients. The two deaths that occurred were in the comparator group. We conclude that ofloxacin in both oral and parenteral forms is an effective and safe drug in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Ofloxacin; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sputum

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Cefuroxime; Cephalexin; Cephalosporins; Clavulanic Acids; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Random Allocation; Respiratory Tract Infections

Cefuroxime axetil (CAE), an orally absorbed prodrug of cefuroxime, was evaluated for its efficacy and safety in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis and otitis media) in general practice in the United Kingdom. A total of 385 patients aged 14 or over were enrolled in a randomized study to compare cefuroxime axetil 250 mg b.d. for 5 days with amoxycillin/clavulanate (Augmentin, AUG) 375 mg t.d.s. for 5 days. Of 175 clinically assessable patients treated with cefuroxime axetil, 136 were cured and 33 improved (97% success rate). Of 188 assessable patients given Augmentin, 155 were cured and 29 improved (98% success rate). Sixty-four patients treated with cefuroxime axetil were evaluable for bacteriological response: 47 (73%) of the causative pathogens were eradicated, as compared with 62 of 86 (72%) in patients treated with Augmentin. Thirteen out of 181 (7%) patients treated with cefuroxime axetil experienced drug-related adverse events, including 4% with diarrhoea. In the Augmentin group 24 out of 204 (12%) patients had a drug-related adverse event, including 5% with diarrhoea. In conclusion, cefuroxime axetil at a dose of 250 mg b.d. appears to be as safe and effective as Augmentin at the higher dose of 375 mg t.d.s. in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Cefuroxime; Cephalosporins; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Combinations; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Random Allocation; Respiratory Tract Infections

Augmentin and oxytetracycline were compared in the treatment of chest infections in general practice in an investigator-blind study of 748 patients randomly allocated to 7 days' treatment with standard doses of either Augmentin or oxytetracycline. Significantly more patients treated with Augmentin had a good overall response to therapy both at day 7 (P less than 0.001) and at day 14 (P less than 0.01). The differences between treatments were less marked for individual signs and symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections, due to smaller numbers of patients with any particular symptom. Augmentin, however, was significantly more effective than oxytetracycline in the resolution of chest pain at day 7 (P less than 0.025) and cough at day 14 (P less than 0.005). Sputum purulence was also cleared more effectively by Augmentin by day 14 (P less than 0.001). Both treatments were well tolerated, with no significant difference between treatments in the small number of adverse events. Augmentin has been shown to be an effective, well tolerated treatment for chest infections, superior to oxytetracycline in efficacy and possibly in speed of resolution of clinical symptoms.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Clavulanic Acids; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diarrhea; Drug Combinations; Humans; Middle Aged; Nausea; Oxytetracycline; Random Allocation; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sputum

Thirteen patients with a mean age of 67 years admitted to hospital with signs and symptoms of lower respiratory infections were treated with 'Augmentin' (500 mg amoxycillin + 250 mg clavulanic acid) given orally every 8 hours, for 7 days. The clinical response was 'good' in ten cases and one 'failed'. Two patients could not be assessed. Side-effects were not serious: only one patient had to stop treatment (due to diarrhoea). The pharmacokinetic results show that peak levels of amoxycillin and of clavulanic acid in the blood and in sputum are achieved at a later time in the patients studied than occurs in healthy volunteers.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Clinical Trials as Topic; Drug Combinations; Female; Humans; Kinetics; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; Saliva; Sputum

We evaluated antibiotic prescriptions issued for Finnish children with acute sinusitis by a nationwide private outpatient clinic network from 2014-2020. Data were compared before and after updated guidelines in 2018.. The study comprised data on 45 296 children aged 2-17 years with acute sinusitis, namely diagnoses, ages, dates, the doctor's specialty and any antibiotics. We measured compliance with the updated 2018 Finnish guidelines, which recommended amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for children under 12 years old, with doxycycline as an alternative for 12 years plus.. There were 6621-7585 visits per year for acute sinusitis in 2014-2019 and 2954 in 2020. Antibiotics were prescribed for 37.9%-41.6% of patients during the study years. Amoxicillin, including penicillin, accounted for 35.9% of prescriptions, followed by amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (26.9%). Macrolides accounted for 20.6% and, encouragingly, decreased by 38% from 2014-2019. Doxycycline accounted for 5.3%. Paediatricians, general practitioners (GPs) and ear, nose and throat specialists followed the guidelines in 75.1%, 73.8% and 66.7% of cases, respectively. GPs prescribed antibiotics more often than other physicians.. Antibiotics were prescribed for about 40% of acute sinusitis visits by Finnish children from 2014-2019. Specialities differed with regard to prescribing rates and whether they followed the guidelines.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Doxycycline; Drug Prescriptions; Finland; Humans; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sinusitis

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have impacted outpatient antibiotic prescribing in low- and middle-income countries such as Brazil. However, outpatient antibiotic prescribing in Brazil, particularly at the prescription level, is not well-described.. We used the IQVIA MIDAS database to characterize changes in prescribing rates of antibiotics commonly prescribed for respiratory infections (azithromycin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, levofloxacin/moxifloxacin, cephalexin, and ceftriaxone) among adults in Brazil overall and stratified by age and sex, comparing prepandemic (January 2019-March 2020) and pandemic periods (April 2020-December 2021) using uni- and multivariate Poisson regression models. The most common prescribing provider specialties for these antibiotics were also identified.. In the pandemic period compared to the prepandemic period, outpatient azithromycin prescribing rates increased across all age-sex groups (incidence rate ratio [IRR] range, 1.474-3.619), with the greatest increase observed in males aged 65-74 years; meanwhile, prescribing rates for amoxicillin-clavulanate and respiratory fluoroquinolones mostly decreased, and changes in cephalosporin prescribing rates varied across age-sex groups (IRR range, 0.134-1.910). For all antibiotics, the interaction of age and sex with the pandemic in multivariable models was an independent predictor of prescribing changes comparing the pandemic versus prepandemic periods. General practitioners and gynecologists accounted for the majority of increases in azithromycin and ceftriaxone prescribing during the pandemic period.. Substantial increases in outpatient prescribing rates for azithromycin and ceftriaxone were observed in Brazil during the pandemic with prescribing rates being disproportionally different by age and sex. General practitioners and gynecologists were the most common prescribers of azithromycin and ceftriaxone during the pandemic, identifying them as potential specialties for antimicrobial stewardship interventions.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Brazil; Ceftriaxone; COVID-19; Female; Humans; Male; Outpatients; Pandemics; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections

Haemophilus influenzae is a human-specific pathogen responsible for respiratory tract infections, meningitis, and sepsis. The study aimed to characterize antibiotic resistance in H. influenzae strains isolated from patients with lower respiratory tract infections over 15 years in Poland. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of clinically relevant antibiotics were determined by broth microdilution method. Screening for beta-lactam resistance was performed in all isolates following EUCAST recommendation. Finally, relevant changes in penicillin-binding protein 3 (PBP3) were detected by PCR screening. Of the 1481 isolates collected between 2005 and 2019, 12.6%, 0.2%, 17.1%, and 0.2% were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, cefuroxime, and ceftriaxone, respectively. Among them, 74.4% (1102/1481) of isolates were categorized as BLNAS (β-lactamase negative, ampicillin-susceptible), 13.0% (192/1481) as BLNAS with modified PBP3 (mutations in ftsI gene), 2.6% (39/1481) as BLNAR (β-lactamase negative, ampicillin-resistant), and 0.2% had PBP3 modifications typical for high-BLNAR. Production of β-lactamase characterized 9.7% of isolates (8.6% BLPAR-β-lactamase-positive, ampicillin-resistant, and 1.1% BLPACR-β-lactamase-positive, amoxicillin-clavulanate resistant). Three isolates with PBP3 modifications typical for high-BLNAR proved resistant to ceftriaxone (MIC > 0.125 mg/L). Resistance to ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was observed in 0.1%, 0.5%, 1.6%, and 24.7% of isolates, respectively. This is the first report of Polish H. influenzae isolates resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. Polish H. influenzae isolates demonstrate similar susceptibility trends as in many other countries. The substantial proportion of β-lactam-resistant isolates and the emergence of those resistant to third-generation cephalosporins are of great concern and should be under surveillance.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Ampicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; beta-Lactamases; Ceftriaxone; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Haemophilus Infections; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Poland; Respiratory Tract Infections

This study aimed to evaluate antibiotic prescriptions for children with otitis media (OM) in a large nationwide network of private clinics between 2014 and 2020. Special focus was paid to amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid prescriptions, which the national guidelines recommend for first-line drugs. We also focused on macrolides, which are commonly prescribed for respiratory tract infections in children but are not appropriate for OM cases.. The data were obtained from the electronic health records of about 250,000 annual visits in <18 years old children. The collected variables were all diagnoses, age, visit year, doctor's specialty, and prescribed antibiotics. Children with OM and upper respiratory tract infections were included, but those with lower respiratory tract infections were excluded.. The number of children with OM was 357,390 (55.2% boys). Antibiotics were prescribed in 44.8% of cases, with the lowest proportion (44.1%) being in <2 years old children. The overall prescription rate decreased from 48.3% in 2014 to 41.4% in 2020. The rates were 19.3% and 18.1% for amoxicillin and 12.6% and 13.2% for amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, respectively. Macrolide prescriptions were reduced from 7.5% to 3.5%. Pediatricians prescribed antibiotics for 38.8%, general practitioners for 54.0% and ear, nose and throat physicians for 39.8% of children with OM.. The selection of antibiotics for OM, when prescribed, was according to the recommendations (amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid) in 80.1% of pediatricians, 67.0% of general practitioners and 55.1% of ear, nose and throat physicians.

Topics: Adolescent; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Drug Utilization; Female; Humans; Macrolides; Male; Otitis Media; Outpatients; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Respiratory Tract Infections

Some strains of Bacteroides fragilis species are associated with diarrhea as a result of enterotoxin production (bft or fragilysin). Fragilysin is activated by C11 protease (fpn) and together with C10 protease (bfp) play a significant role in its invasiveness. The objectives of this study were to investigate the proportion of clinical isolates from extra-intestinal sources that are toxin producers and characterize the genes mediating toxin production. Clinical isolates submitted to our reference laboratory over the last 13 years were screened for toxin production using PCR technique. All stool isolates were excluded. The isolates were tested for their susceptibility to 8 antimicrobial agents by E test. Carbapenem resistance gene cfiA was detected by PCR.. A total of 421 B. fragilis isolates were viable. Out of these, bft was detected in 210 (49.9%) isolates. Of the 210 bft-positive isolates, 171 (81.4%), 33 (15.7%) and 6 (2.8%) harbored bft-1, bft-2, and bft-3 genes, respectively. Twenty (9.5%) of the bft-positive strains originated from bloodstream infections. Twenty-five, 20 and 9 strains harbored bfp-1, bfp-2 and bfp-3 gene, respectively. Two, 3, 4 bfp isotypes were detected simultaneously in some of strains. The resistance rates against amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was 32%, clindamycin 62%, cefoxitin 26%, imipenem 11%, meropenem 17%, metronidazole 4%, piperacillin 61% and tigecycline 14%. A chromosomally located cfiA gene that encode metallo-β-lactamase was identified in only 34 isolates (16.2%).. The prevalence of enterotoxin-producing B. fragilis was high among the extra-intestinal isolates. Metronidazole was the most active agent against all isolates. There was no statistically significance difference between resistance rates among bft-positive and bft-negative isolates except for clindamycin.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Toxins; Bacteroides fragilis; Bacteroides Infections; Cefoxitin; Clindamycin; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Feces; Female; Humans; Imipenem; Kuwait; Male; Meropenem; Metronidazole; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Piperacillin; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sepsis; Tigecycline; Wound Infection

The use of central venous catheters (CVCs) in patients with cystic fibrosis is associated with an increased incidence of right atrial thrombosis. Practically, the management of CVC-related right atrial thrombosis presents a challenge as there are no clinical trials or systematic reviews in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. We describe a case of a 5-year-old child who presented with a CVC-related infection due to Candida parapsilosis. Echocardiogram revealed the presence of an incidental thrombus, measuring 1.4 cm × 0.4 cm, at the tip of the catheter, adherent to the right atrial wall and discrete from the tricuspid valve leaflets. Imaging was performed at monthly intervals and showed spontaneous resolution of the thrombus after six months. Follow-up blood cultures were negative, and the course of the patient was uneventful.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Asymptomatic Diseases; Candida parapsilosis; Catheters, Indwelling; Central Venous Catheters; Child; Cystic Fibrosis; Echocardiography; Female; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Venous Thrombosis

Inhaled foreign bodies in children are common and may be complicated by secondary airway tract infection. The inhaled foreign body may act as carrier of infectious material and the aim of this study was to explore the bacterial species associated with aspirated foreign bodies in a cohort of children.. Retrospective case series of 34 patients who underwent rigid laryngobronchoscopy because of foreign body aspiration. Each patient had a sample taken from tracheobronchial secretions during the procedure.. The average patient age was 31.2 months and the average hospital stay was 2.5 days. Of the foreign bodies 24 (71%) were organic in nature and 10 (29%) were non-organic. Twenty eight (82.3%) patients had mixed oropharyngeal flora organisms growth. Fifteen (44%) samples were positive for organisms other than oropharyngeal flora with the most common cultured organisms being: Streptococcus pneumonia (4/12%), Haemophilus influenza (4/12%), Moraxella catarrhalis (4/12%). Four samples (12%) grew a fungus; Candida albicans was cultured in 3 patients and Aspergillus glaucus was identified in one sample. Of the non-oropharyngeal organisms 7(47%) demonstrated antibiotic resistance with four having resistance to amoxycillin, two resistant to penicillin and one resistant to cotrimoxazole.. Some children who present with aspirated foreign body may be complicated with secondary airway infection. Antibacterial treatment might be considered in some of these cases. The regimen of antibiotics should aim to cover oropharyngeal flora, S. pneumonia, H. influenza and Moraxella catarrhalis.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Aspergillus; Bronchi; Bronchoscopy; Candida albicans; Child, Preschool; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Female; Foreign Bodies; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Laryngoscopy; Male; Microbiota; Moraxella catarrhalis; Oropharynx; Respiratory Aspiration; Respiratory Tract Infections; Retrospective Studies; Streptococcus pneumoniae

To determine antibiotic susceptibility in isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae collected in 2014-16 from Russia.. MICs were determined by CLSI broth microdilution and susceptibility was assessed using CLSI, EUCAST and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) breakpoints.. A total of 279 S. pneumoniae and 279 H. influenzae were collected. Overall, 67.0% of S. pneumoniae were penicillin susceptible by CLSI oral/EUCAST and 93.2% by CLSI intravenous (iv) breakpoints. All were fluoroquinolone susceptible, with amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ceftriaxone susceptibility ≥92.8% by CLSI and PK/PD breakpoints. Isolates showed lower susceptibility to cefuroxime, cefaclor, macrolides and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole by CLSI criteria: 85.0%, 76.7%, 68.8% and 67.7%, respectively. Generally, susceptibility was slightly lower by EUCAST criteria, except for cefaclor, for which the difference in susceptibility was much greater. Penicillin-resistant isolates had low susceptibility (≤60%) to all agents except fluoroquinolones. All 279 H. influenzae were ceftriaxone susceptible, 15.4% were β-lactamase positive and ≥97.5% were amoxicillin/clavulanic acid susceptible (CLSI, EUCAST and PK/PD breakpoints). Four isolates were fluoroquinolone non-susceptible by current EUCAST criteria. A major discrepancy was found with azithromycin susceptibility between CLSI (99.3%) and EUCAST and PK/PD (2.2%) breakpoints. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was poorly active (62.7% susceptible).. Susceptibility to penicillin (oral), macrolides and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was low in S. pneumoniae from Russia. However, isolates were fully susceptible to fluoroquinolones and ≥92.8% were susceptible to amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ceftriaxone. Isolates of H. influenzae only showed reduced susceptibility to ampicillin, cefaclor, clarithromycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Some differences were detected between CLSI, EUCAST and PK/PD breakpoints, especially with cefaclor, cefuroxime and macrolides. These data suggest further efforts are required to harmonize international breakpoints.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Community-Acquired Infections; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Epidemiological Monitoring; Haemophilus Infections; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Macrolides; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Pneumococcal Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Russia; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult

To determine antimicrobial susceptibility in isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae collected in 2014-16 from patients with community-acquired respiratory tract infections in Greece.. MICs were determined by CLSI broth microdilution and susceptibility assessed using CLSI, EUCAST and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) breakpoints.. A total of 99 S. pneumoniae and 52 H. influenzae isolates were collected. Overall, 36.4% of S. pneumoniae were penicillin susceptible by CLSI oral/EUCAST and 88.9% by CLSI intravenous (iv) breakpoints. All were fluoroquinolone susceptible with ≥94% of isolates also susceptible to amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ceftriaxone by CLSI and PK/PD breakpoints. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, cefuroxime, cefaclor and macrolides were less active, with rates of susceptibility of 83.8%, 69.7%, 50.5% and 49.5%, respectively, by CLSI. Generally susceptibility was the same or slightly lower by EUCAST, but the cefaclor difference was much greater. Among H. influenzae, 15.4% of isolates were β-lactamase positive. Susceptibility to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime and the fluoroquinolones was seen in >95% of isolates by CLSI criteria. Susceptibility to azithromycin was seen in 94.2% of isolates using CLSI breakpoints, but clarithromycin susceptibility was lower (61.5%). However, susceptibility to both macrolides was seen in <5% of isolates by PK/PD and EUCAST criteria. Susceptibility to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was seen in 71.2% of isolates.. Owing to the high prevalence of macrolide resistance among S. pneumoniae and the reduced activity of clarithromycin against H. influenzae, it appears that these agents are not appropriate as monotherapy for community-acquired pneumonia in Greece. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, on the other hand, maintained excellent in vitro activity and, as opposed to the similarly effective fluoroquinolones, is safe to use in paediatric patients.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Community-Acquired Infections; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Epidemiological Monitoring; Fluoroquinolones; Greece; Haemophilus Infections; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Macrolides; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Pneumococcal Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult

To determine antibiotic susceptibility in isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae collected in 2014-16 from Ukraine and the Slovak Republic.. MICs were determined by CLSI broth microdilution and susceptibility was assessed using CLSI, EUCAST and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) breakpoints.. S. pneumoniae isolates collected in Ukraine (n = 100) showed susceptibility rates ≥97% for amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, penicillin [intravenous (iv) non-meningitis] and fluoroquinolones, between 83% and 86% for oral penicillin, macrolides and cefaclor, and 75% for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Susceptibility was substantially lower in the Slovak Republic (n = 95). All isolates were susceptible to the fluoroquinolones, but susceptibility to penicillin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefuroxime and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole varied between 61% and 64%, with only 44% of isolates susceptible to the macrolides. Susceptibility of H. influenzae was more homogeneous, with susceptibility to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, azithromycin and the fluoroquinolones seen in >90% of isolates by CLSI criteria in both countries. Much greater variability was seen across breakpoints, especially for azithromycin, cefaclor and cefuroxime. The β-lactamase rate was 5.1% (5/98) in the Slovak Republic and 7.3% (7/96) in Ukraine, but the Slovak Republic also had a relatively high rate of β-lactamase-negative-ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR) isolates (7.1%; 7/98).. The variability found across these two neighbouring countries illustrates the need to monitor and publish national and local resistance patterns. This information is not only critical for effective empirical therapy but can also be used to help shape and support antimicrobial stewardship efforts in order to limit antibiotic resistance.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Community-Acquired Infections; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Epidemiological Monitoring; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Macrolides; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; Slovakia; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ukraine; Young Adult

Data are needed from outpatient settings to better inform antimicrobial stewardship. In this study, a random sample of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions by primary care providers (PCPs) at our health care system was reviewed and compared to consensus guidelines. Over 12 months, 3,880 acute antibiotic prescriptions were written by 76 PCPs caring for 40,734 patients (median panel, 600 patients; range, 33 to 1,547). PCPs ordered a median of 84 antibiotic prescriptions per 1,000 patients per year. Azithromycin (25.8%), amoxicillin-clavulanate (13.3%), doxycycline (12.4%), amoxicillin (11%), fluoroquinolones (11%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (10.6%) were prescribed most commonly. Medical records corresponding to 300 prescriptions from 59 PCPs were analyzed in depth. The most common indications for these prescriptions were acute respiratory tract infection (28.3%), urinary tract infection (23%), skin and soft tissue infection (15.7%), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation (6.3%). In 5.7% of cases, no reason for the prescription was listed. No antibiotic was indicated in 49.7% of cases. In 12.3% of cases, an antibiotic was indicated, but the prescribed agent was guideline discordant. In another 14% of cases, a guideline-concordant antibiotic was given for a guideline-discordant duration. Therefore, 76% of reviewed prescriptions were inappropriate. Ciprofloxacin and azithromycin were most likely to be prescribed inappropriately. A non-face-to-face encounter prompted 34% of prescriptions. The condition for which an antibiotic was prescribed was not listed in primary or secondary diagnosis codes in 54.5% of clinic visits. In conclusion, there is an enormous opportunity to reduce inappropriate outpatient antibiotic prescriptions.

Topics: Adult; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antimicrobial Stewardship; Azithromycin; Delivery of Health Care; Doxycycline; Female; Fluoroquinolones; Humans; Inappropriate Prescribing; Male; Middle Aged; Physicians, Primary Care; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Respiratory Tract Infections; Retrospective Studies; Soft Tissue Infections; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; United States; United States Department of Veterans Affairs; Urinary Tract Infections

Although prohibited by law and legal regulatory frameworks, non-prescribed sale of antibiotics in community medicine retail outlets (CMROs) remains a serious problem in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to document the extent of and motivations behind non-prescribed sale of antibiotics among CMROs in Gondar town, Ethiopia.. A 2 phase mixed-methods study (a simulated patient visit followed by an in-depth interview) was conducted among CMROs in Gondar town, Ethiopia. Two clinical case scenarios (acute childhood diarrhea and upper respiratory tract infection) were presented and the practice of non-prescribed sale were measured and results were reported as percentages. Pharmacy staff (pharmacists and pharmacy assistants) were interviewed to examine factors/motivations behind dispensing antibiotics without a valid prescription.. A stringent law and policy enforcement regarding the sale of antibiotics without a valid prescription should be in place. This will ultimately help to shift the current pharmacy practices from commercial and business-based interests/practices to the provision of primary healthcare services to the community.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child, Preschool; Community Pharmacy Services; Diarrhea; Ethiopia; Female; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Male; Motivation; Pharmacists; Prescriptions; Qualitative Research; Respiratory Tract Infections

Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. While the majority of infants display only mild upper respiratory tract infection or occasionally otitis media, around one-third will develop an infection of the lower respiratory tract, usually bronchiolitis. There is now convincing evidence from a number of cohorts that respiratory syncytial virus is a significant, independent risk factor for later wheezing, at least within the first decade of life. The wide variation in response to respiratory syncytial virus infection suggests that susceptibility and disease are influenced by multiple host-intrinsic factors.. A 2-year-old white girl presented to our Pediatric Allergy Clinic with recurrent crackles in addition to cough, fevers, and labored breathing since her first respiratory syncytial virus infection at the age of 7 months. She had been under the care of pulmonologists, who suspected childhood interstitial lung disease. She was hospitalized eight times due to exacerbation of symptoms and prescribed systemic and inhaled steroids, short-acting β2-mimetics, and antileukotriene. There was no short-term clinical improvement at that time between hospitalizations. During her hospital stay at the Pneumonology and Cystic Fibrosis Department in Rabka a bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage was performed. Laboratory bacteriological tests found high colony count of Moraxella catarrhalis (β-lactamase positive), sensitive to amoxicillin-clavulanate, in bronchial secretions and swabs from her nose. After this, infections were treated with antibiotics; she remained in good condition without symptoms. Crackles and wheezing recurred only during symptoms of infections. Therefore, we hypothesize that respiratory syncytial virus infection at an early age might cause severe damage of the lung epithelium and prolonged clinical symptoms, mainly crackles and wheezing, each time the child has a respiratory infection.. This case illustrates the importance of respiratory syncytial virus infection in an immunocompetent child. Pediatricians need to have a high index of suspicion and knowledge of recurrent symptoms associated with severe damage of the lung epithelium to establish the correct diagnosis.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bronchiolitis; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Moraxella catarrhalis; Moraxellaceae Infections; Nose; Respiratory Sounds; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Respiratory Tract Infections

The aim was to describe the factors associated with antibiotic use in upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in the post-pandemic influenza period.. All consecutive patients who attended the emergency and outpatient departments of a private 265-bed hospital in Istanbul, Turkey with symptoms of an influenza-like illness (ILI) between January and June 2011 were included.. Out of 1270 patients, 100 were tested for Streptococcus A infection and 16 (16%) were found to be positive; 36 patients were tested for respiratory syncytial virus and five were found to be positive. A rapid influenza test (chromatographic) was performed for 325 patients and 45% were found to be positive for influenza A or B. In total, 500 patients (40%) were prescribed antibiotics; these were fluoroquinolones (12%), macrolides (10%), amoxicillin-clavulanate (10%), cefuroxime (7%), and third-generation cephalosporins (3%). On multivariate analysis, antibiotic prescription was found to be decreased by the diagnosis of influenza, whereas antibiotic prescription increased with age >65years, C-reactive protein (CRP) >20mg/L, polymorphonuclear leukocytes >80%, the detection of rales on auscultation, the presence of cough, comorbidities, and having infiltrations on a X-ray.. The diagnosis of influenza is important for the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs. Each institution should implement an algorithm for the diagnosis and management of upper respiratory tract infections. Biomarkers such as CRP and procalcitonin should be used more effectively.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antimicrobial Stewardship; C-Reactive Protein; Cephalosporins; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Fluoroquinolones; Humans; Infant; Influenza, Human; Macrolides; Male; Middle Aged; Pandemics; Respiratory Tract Infections; Retrospective Studies; Turkey; Virus Diseases; Young Adult

Nasal vestibulitis (NV) is a common infection; however, scant data is available in the literature as it pertains to NV. We aim to describe the clinical characteristics of NV in respect to its potential complications.. A retrospective chart review of 118 NV cases admitted to a tertiary medical center between 2008 and 2015.. Identified risk factors for NV included nasal hair plucking (n=15, 14.41%), nose blowing (n=10, 9.32%), nose picking (n=9, 8.47%) and nose piercing (n=5, 3.39%). Twelve patients (10.17%) were diabetic, and 3 patients were immunosuppressed. Mid-facial cellulitis was observed in the majority of patients (78.81%), and abscess of the nasal vestibule was observed in almost half (48.30%). Cultures were taken from 33.33% of patients demonstrated MSSA as the most common isolate (81.25%). No complications were observed.. Even in complicated cases of NV requiring admission, the risk of major complications is extremely low.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cellulitis; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nose; Respiratory Tract Infections; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Tertiary Care Centers; Young Adult

Acute respiratory tract infections account for the majority of antibiotic exposure in children, and broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory tract infections is increasing. It is not clear whether broad-spectrum treatment is associated with improved outcomes compared with narrow-spectrum treatment.. To compare the effectiveness of broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum antibiotic treatment for acute respiratory tract infections in children.. A retrospective cohort study assessing clinical outcomes and a prospective cohort study assessing patient-centered outcomes of children between the ages of 6 months and 12 years diagnosed with an acute respiratory tract infection and prescribed an oral antibiotic between January 2015 and April 2016 in a network of 31 pediatric primary care practices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Stratified and propensity score-matched analyses to account for confounding by clinician and by patient-level characteristics, respectively, were implemented for both cohorts.. Broad-spectrum antibiotics vs narrow-spectrum antibiotics.. In the retrospective cohort, the primary outcomes were treatment failure and adverse events 14 days after diagnosis. In the prospective cohort, the primary outcomes were quality of life, other patient-centered outcomes, and patient-reported adverse events.. Of 30 159 children in the retrospective cohort (19 179 with acute otitis media; 6746, group A streptococcal pharyngitis; and 4234, acute sinusitis), 4307 (14%) were prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics including amoxicillin-clavulanate, cephalosporins, and macrolides. Broad-spectrum treatment was not associated with a lower rate of treatment failure (3.4% for broad-spectrum antibiotics vs 3.1% for narrow-spectrum antibiotics; risk difference for full matched analysis, 0.3% [95% CI, -0.4% to 0.9%]). Of 2472 children enrolled in the prospective cohort (1100 with acute otitis media; 705, group A streptococcal pharyngitis; and 667, acute sinusitis), 868 (35%) were prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were associated with a slightly worse child quality of life (score of 90.2 for broad-spectrum antibiotics vs 91.5 for narrow-spectrum antibiotics; score difference for full matched analysis, -1.4% [95% CI, -2.4% to -0.4%]) but not with other patient-centered outcomes. Broad-spectrum treatment was associated with a higher risk of adverse events documented by the clinician (3.7% for broad-spectrum antibiotics vs 2.7% for narrow-spectrum antibiotics; risk difference for full matched analysis, 1.1% [95% CI, 0.4% to 1.8%]) and reported by the patient (35.6% for broad-spectrum antibiotics vs 25.1% for narrow-spectrum antibiotics; risk difference for full matched analysis, 12.2% [95% CI, 7.3% to 17.2%]).. Among children with acute respiratory tract infections, broad-spectrum antibiotics were not associated with better clinical or patient-centered outcomes compared with narrow-spectrum antibiotics, and were associated with higher rates of adverse events. These data support the use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics for most children with acute respiratory tract infections.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cephalosporins; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Macrolides; Male; Otitis Media; Pharyngitis; Primary Health Care; Quality of Life; Respiratory Tract Infections; Retrospective Studies; Sinusitis; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus pyogenes; Treatment Failure

To determine whether treatment with clarithromycin for respiratory tract infections was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events, arrhythmias or all-cause mortality compared with other antibiotics.. Retrospective cohort design comparing clarithromycin monotherapy for lower (LRTI) or upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) with other antibiotic monotherapies for the same indication.. Routine primary care data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink and inpatient data from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES).. Patients aged ≥35 years prescribed antibiotic monotherapy for LRTI or URTI 1998-2012 and eligible for data linkage to HES.. The main outcome measures were: adjusted risk of first-ever CV event, within 37 days of initiation, in commonly prescribed antibiotics compared with clarithromycin. Secondarily, adjusted 37-day risks of first-ever arrhythmia and all-cause mortality.. Of 700 689 treatments for LRTI and eligible for the CV analysis, there were 2071 CV events (unadjusted event rate: 29.6 per 10 000 treatments). Of 691 998 eligible treatments for URTI, there were 688 CV events (9.9 per 10 000 treatments). In LRTI and URTI, there were no significant differences in CV risk between clarithromycin and all other antibiotics combined: OR=1.00 (95% CI 0.82 to 1.22) and 0.82 (0.54 to 1.25), respectively. Adjusted CV risk in LRTI versus clarithromycin ranged from OR=1.42 (cefalexin; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.86) to 0.92 (doxycycline; 0.64 to 1.32); in URTI, from 1.17 (co-amoxiclav; 0.68 to 2.01) to 0.67 (erythromycin; 0.40 to 1.11). Adjusted mortality risk versus clarithromycin in LRTI ranged from 0.42 to 1.32; in URTI, from 0.75 to 1.43. For arrhythmia, adjusted risks in LRTI ranged from 0.68 to 1.05; in URTI, from 0.70 to 1.22.. CV events were more likely after LRTI than after URTI. When analysed by specific indication, CV risk associated with clarithromycin was no different to other antibiotics.

Topics: Aged; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cause of Death; Clarithromycin; Doxycycline; Erythromycin; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; Risk Factors; United Kingdom

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has promoted the appropriate use of antibiotics since 1995 when it initiated the National Campaign for Appropriate Antibiotic Use in the Community. This study examined upper respiratory tract infections included in the campaign to determine the degree to which antibiotics were appropriately prescribed and subsequent admission rates in a veteran population. This study was a retrospective chart review conducted among outpatients with a diagnosis of a respiratory tract infection, including bronchitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, or nonspecific upper respiratory tract infection, between January 2009 and December 2011. The study found that 595 (35.8%) patients were treated appropriately, and 1,067 (64.2%) patients received therapy considered inappropriate based on the Get Smart Campaign criteria. Overall the subsequent readmission rate was 1.5%. The majority (77.5%) of patients were prescribed an antibiotic. The most common antibiotics prescribed were azithromycin (39.0%), amoxicillin-clavulanate (13.2%), and moxifloxacin (7.5%). A multivariate regression analysis demonstrated significant predictors of appropriate treatment, including the presence of tonsillar exudates (odds ratio [OR], 0.6; confidence interval [CI], 0.3 to 0.9), fever (OR, 0.6; CI, 0.4 to 0.9), and lymphadenopathy (OR, 0.4; CI, 0.3 to 0.6), while penicillin allergy (OR, 2.9; CI, 1.7 to 4.7) and cough (OR, 1.6; CI, 1.1 to 2.2) were significant predictors for inappropriate treatment. Poor compliance with the Get Smart Campaign was found in outpatients for respiratory infections. Results from this study demonstrate the overprescribing of antibiotics, while providing a focused view of improper prescribing. This article provides evidence that current efforts are insufficient for curtailing inappropriate antibiotic use.

Topics: Ambulatory Care; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azithromycin; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; Drug Utilization; Female; Fluoroquinolones; Humans; Inappropriate Prescribing; Male; Middle Aged; Moxifloxacin; Multivariate Analysis; Outpatients; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Respiratory Tract Infections; Retrospective Studies; United States

In the last decade, the Streptococcus pneumoniae population has changed, mainly due to the abuse of antibiotics. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic structure of 144 S. pneumonia serotype 14 isolates collected from children with acute respiratory infections during 1997-2012 in China.. All isolated pneumococci were tested for their sensitivity to 11 kinds of antibiotics with the E-test method or disc diffusion. The macrolides resistance genes ermB and mefA, as well as the sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim resistance gene dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The sequence types (STs) were analyzed with multilocus sequence typing (MLST).. From 1997 to 2012, the percentage of serotype 14 S. pneumonia isolates in the whole isolates increased. All of the 144 serotype 14 S. pneumonia isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, vancomycin and levofloxacin. No penicillin resistant isolate was found, and the intermediate rate was as low as 0.7 %. Erythromycin resistance was confirmed among 143 isolates. The ermB gene was determined in all erythromycin resistant isolates, and the mefA gene was positive additionally in 13 of them. The non-susceptibility rate to the tested cephalosporins increased from 1997-2012. All trimethoprim-resistant isolates contained the Ile100-Leu mutation. Overall, 30 STs were identified, among which ST876 was the most prevalent, followed by ST875. During the study period, the percentage of CC876 increased from 0 % in 1997-2000 to 96.4 % in 2010-2012, whereas CC875 decreased from 84.2 to 0 %. CC876 showed higher non-susceptibility rates to β-lactam antibiotics than CC875.. The percentage of serotype 14 S. pneumonia isolates increased over time in China. The increase of resistance to β-lactam antibiotics in this serotype isolates was associated with the spread of CC876.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child, Preschool; China; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Erythromycin; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Multilocus Sequence Typing; Pneumococcal Infections; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Respiratory Tract Infections; Serogroup; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Respiratory anthrax is a fatal disease in the absence of early treatment with antibiotics. Rabbits are highly susceptible to infection with Bacillus anthracis spores by intranasal instillation, succumbing within 2 to 4 days postinfection. This study aims to test the efficiency of antibiotic therapy to treat systemic anthrax in this relevant animal model. Delaying the initiation of antibiotic administration to more than 24 h postinfection resulted in animals with systemic anthrax in various degrees of bacteremia and toxemia. As the onset of symptoms in humans was reported to start on days 1 to 7 postexposure, delaying the initiation of treatment by 24 to 48 h (time frame for mass distribution of antibiotics) may result in sick populations. We evaluated the efficacy of antibiotic administration as a function of bacteremia levels at the time of treatment initiation. Here we compare the efficacy of treatment with clarithromycin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (Augmentin), imipenem, vancomycin, rifampin, and linezolid to the previously reported efficacy of doxycycline and ciprofloxacin. We demonstrate that treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, imipenem, vancomycin, and linezolid were as effective as doxycycline and ciprofloxacin, curing rabbits exhibiting bacteremia levels of up to 10(5) CFU/ml. Clarithromycin and rifampin were shown to be effective only as a postexposure prophylactic treatment but failed to treat the systemic (bacteremic) phase of anthrax. Furthermore, we evaluate the contribution of combined treatment of clindamycin and ciprofloxacin, which demonstrated improvement in efficacy compared to ciprofloxacin alone.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Animals; Anthrax; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacillus anthracis; Bacteremia; Ciprofloxacin; Clarithromycin; Disease Models, Animal; Doxycycline; Drug Combinations; Drug Synergism; Humans; Imipenem; Linezolid; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Rabbits; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rifampin; Spores, Bacterial; Survival Analysis; Vancomycin

From November 2009 to October 2012, implementation of guidelines, unlabeled by the French Agency of Health Products, changed the categories of antibiotics prescribed for acute respiratory tract infections in 7 pediatric emergency departments. During the study, 36,413 acute respiratory tract infections-related antibiotic prescriptions were prescribed. Amoxicillin prescriptions rose from 30.0% to 84.7%, while amoxicillin-clavulanate and cefpodoxime prescriptions decreased to 10.2% and 2.5%, respectively.

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cefpodoxime; Ceftizoxime; Child, Preschool; Drug Prescriptions; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Emergency Service, Hospital; France; Humans; Infant; Pediatrics; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Tract Infections

A case of thoracic actinomycosis manifest as round shadow in the lung is described. Diagnosis was based on the presence of actinomycetes in a transthoracic lung biopsy sample. Treatment for 3 months resulted in recovery. No relapse was documented during 1 year follow-up period.

Topics: Actinomyces; Actinomycosis; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sulbactam; Treatment Outcome

To update the American Academy of Pediatrics clinical practice guideline regarding the diagnosis and management of acute bacterial sinusitis in children and adolescents.. Analysis of the medical literature published since the last version of the guideline (2001).. The diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis is made when a child with an acute upper respiratory tract infection (URI) presents with (1) persistent illness (nasal discharge [of any quality] or daytime cough or both lasting more than 10 days without improvement), (2) a worsening course (worsening or new onset of nasal discharge, daytime cough, or fever after initial improvement), or (3) severe onset (concurrent fever[temperature ≥39°C/102.2°F] and purulent nasal discharge for at least 3 consecutive days). Clinicians should not obtain imaging studies of any kind to distinguish acute bacterial sinusitis from viral URI, because they do not contribute to the diagnosis; however, a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the paranasal sinuses should be obtained whenever a child is suspected of having orbital or central nervous system complications. The clinician should prescribe antibiotic therapy for acute bacterial sinusitis in children with severe onset or worsening course. The clinician should either prescribe antibiotic therapy or offer additional observation for 3 days to children with persistent illness. Amoxicillin with or without clavulanate is the firstline treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis. Clinicians should reassess initial management if there is either a caregiver report of worsening(progression of initial signs/symptoms or appearance of new signs/symptoms) or failure to improve within 72 hours of initial management.If the diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis is confirmed in a child with worsening symptoms or failure to improve, then clinicians may change the antibiotic therapy for the child initially managed with antibiotic or initiate antibiotic treatment of the child initially managed with observation.. Changes in this revision include the addition of a clinical presentation designated as “worsening course,” an option to treat immediately or observe children with persistent symptoms for 3 days before treating, and a review of evidence indicating that imaging is not necessary in children with uncomplicated acute bacterial sinusitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Child; Child, Preschool; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Observation; Paranasal Sinuses; Prognosis; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sinusitis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome; United States

Recurrence acute otitis media (RAOM) may cause a considerable morbidity and a great parental concern. The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors that are likely to be responsible for RAOM in infants, and their impact on treatment failure.. A retrospective study on 340 infants with RAOM was conducted. Data were collected from hospital charts. A 10 days course of amoxicillin/clavulanate was used for treatment of recurrence, while surgical management in the form of adenoidectomy and/or myringotomy was reserved for patients with persistent disease. We analyzed various risk factors that may affect the prognosis of RAOM, including: age, prematurity, upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), duration of breastfeeding, use of pacifiers, parental smoking, seasonality, the presence of siblings (family size), gender, adenoid hypertrophy, allergy, and craniofacial abnormalities.. Use of pacifiers, short duration of breastfeeding, older infantile age, winter season, URTI and presence of adenoid hypertrophy were identified as risk factors for RAOM. Treatment failure may be due to adenoid hypertrophy, short duration of breastfeeding and it is more common in older age infants. We did not find a significant association between RAOM and gender, prematurity, exposure to passive smoking, the presence of siblings, allergy, craniofacial abnormalities.. Factors that may cause recurrence of the disease in infant population are use of pacifiers, short duration of breastfeeding, older infantile age, winter season, upper respiratory tract infections and adenoid hypertrophy. Also, treatment failure may be caused by adenoid hypertrophy and short duration of breastfeeding. Good understanding of these factors may help to decrease the recurrence rate and to improve the treatment of the disease.

Topics: Acute Disease; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Breast Feeding; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Incidence; Infant; Male; Otitis Media; Pacifiers; Prognosis; Recurrence; Respiratory Tract Infections; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Seasons; Severity of Illness Index; Siblings; Time Factors; Tobacco Smoke Pollution

An internet-based survey was conducted to determine common strategies for control of feline upper respiratory infections (URI) in animal shelters. Two hundred and fifty-eight North American shelters responded, representing a spectrum of 57% private non-profit, 27% municipal and 16% combined private non-profit-municipal shelters. All but nine shelters reported having a regular relationship with a veterinarian, 53% had full-time veterinarians and 62% indicated full-time (non-veterinarian) medical staff. However, in 35% of facilities, non-medical shelter management staff determined what medication an individual cat could receive, with 5% of facilities making that decision without indicating the involvement of a veterinarian or technician. Ninety-one percent of shelters had an isolation area for clinically ill cats. The most commonly used antimicrobial was doxycycline (52%), followed by amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (33%). Shelters are using a wide range of prevention measures and therapeutics, leaving room for studying URI in different settings to improve understanding of optimal protocols.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Animal Welfare; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cat Diseases; Cats; Doxycycline; Housing, Animal; Respiratory Tract Infections

In-depth knowledge of existing practice is required to inform interventions aimed at antibiotic prescribing quality improvement. We set out to describe the presentation, antimicrobial management and associated outcome of adults presenting in general practice with acute cough/lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in Poland.. Observational study of 301 adults with acute cough/LRTI. Clinicians completed a case report form (CRF) describing presentation, history and management and patients completed a symptom diary for up to 28 days after consultation.. Two hundred and twenty-one patients (with CRF and symptom diary completed) were analysed. The median duration of feeling unwell before presentation was 4 days. Clinicians recorded an average of eight symptoms for patients at presentation. Apart from cough, patients most commonly reported feeling generally unwell (91.9%), limitation of normal activities (80.5%), coryza (80.1%) and phlegm production (76.0%). Auscultation abnormalities were present in 55.0%. Overall, medicines were prescribed for 95.0%; 72.4% were prescribed antibiotics [mostly macrolides/lincosamides (38.8%) and amoxicillin/co-amoxiclav (36.3%)) with 11.3% advised to take antibiotics only if still necessary after a specified delay. Mucolytics were prescribed for 61.1%. Antibiotic prescription was strongly associated with a diagnosis of LRTI and the presence of auscultation abnormalities. The median duration of cough after presentation was 8 days.. Antibiotics continue to be frequently prescribed for acute cough/LRTI in Poland, and the decision to prescribe was strongly associated with clinicians' findings of abnormalities on auscultation and diagnosis of LRTI. Delayed prescribing was infrequent. Mucolytics were commonly prescribed despite evidence of no effect.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Auscultation; Cough; Drug Prescriptions; Female; General Practice; Humans; Lincosamides; Logistic Models; Macrolides; Male; Middle Aged; Poland; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Respiratory Tract Infections; Severity of Illness Index; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are most important respiratory pathogens with increasing antimicrobial resistance among the key pathogens responsible for community-acquired respiratory tract infections and have the potential to limit the effectiveness of antibiotics available to treat these infections. In the present study, a total of 18 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae and 9 isolates of Haemophilus influenzae were characterised from specimens obtained from patients of acute respiratory tract infections including otitis media, tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and sinusitis. In the present study, all the Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates were sensitive to coamoxiclav and to cefixime, while they showed variable resistance to the other antibiotics screened. The degree of resistance to various antibiotics was as follows: Streptococcus pneumoniae showed resistance to cotrimoxazole (66.7%), azithromycin (55.6%), erythromycin (16.7%), chloramphenicol (16.7%), clindamycin (11.1%) and penicillin (11.1%). Haemophilus influenzae showed resistance to cefixime 100%, chloramphenicol 88.9%, penicillin 77.8%, erythromycin 77.8%, cefuroxime 77.8%, azithromycin 77.8%, and clindamycin 11.1%. The present study showed the emergence of variable resistance to penicillin, cotrimoxazole and other antibiotics.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Haemophilus Infections; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Infant; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pneumococcal Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Due to increasing antimicrobial resistance there has been renewed interest in old drugs that have fallen into disuse because of toxic side effects.. To evaluate the susceptibility profile, in our hospital, of Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates to chloramphenicol and to compare them with the susceptibility to amoxicillin-clavulanate.. All isolates of Enterobacteriaceae and S. pneumoniae recovered in our lab during a one year period were tested for susceptibility to chloramphenicol and amoxicillin-clavulanate or penicillin, respectively.. Of 413 Enterobacteriaceae isolates, 182 (44.1%) were resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanate, but only 76 (18.4%) were resistant to chloramphenicol. Of 189 isolates of S. pneumoniae, 4 (2.1%) were highly resistant to penicillin and 73 (38.8%) were partially resistant, while only 2 (1.1%) were resistant to chloramphenicol. None of the 24 S. pneumoniae isolates causing invasive diseases exhibited resistance to chloramphenicol. In an era of increasing resistance to many antibiotic preparations, chloramphenicol might have a role in the treatment of intraabdominal and respiratory tract infections.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Chloramphenicol; Enterobacteriaceae; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae

The main objective of this study was to determine whether bacteria cultured from oral swabs taken at the time of surgery predicted postoperative fistula formation.. The study was a prospective longitudinal audit.. The setting was a designated U.K. N.H.S. cleft center.. Subjects consisted of the patients of a single cleft surgeon who were undergoing surgery for cleft palate repair or cleft fistula repair.. Oral microbiological swabs were taken from patients while they were on the operating table just before surgery.. The results from microbiological culture of the swabs were recorded, as was the presence or absence of a fistula at 6 months postoperatively. Additional collected information was related to the severity of the cleft, whether the operating microscope was used during surgery, and whether the patient had developed a postoperative upper respiratory tract infection.. Positive swab cultures were not significantly associated with fistula formation. Use of the operating microscope was not associated with an increase or decrease in the number of fistulas. A fistula developed in all patients who experienced a postoperative upper respiratory tract infection.. The practice of performing routine preoperative mouth swabs should be abandoned because the presence of bacteria in the mouth does not increase the risk of fistula formation.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Bacteria; Child; Child, Preschool; Cleft Palate; Cohort Studies; Dental Audit; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infant; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Microsurgery; Nose Diseases; Oral Fistula; Pharynx; Postoperative Complications; Preoperative Care; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Tract Fistula; Respiratory Tract Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus; Treatment Outcome

A 4-month-old, intact male Boxer puppy was presented to the Animal Emergency and Critical Care Services of South Florida because of nasal discharge, dehydration, dyspnea, and coughing. The dog had been diagnosed with intestinal parasites and kennel cough approximately 10 days before presentation. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs of the thorax revealed an increased bronchointerstitial pattern throughout the lungs. A transtracheal wash was performed. On cytologic examination of direct, Wright-Giemsa-stained smears, small basophilic coccoid structures (0.3-0.9 microm in diameter) were observed in low to moderate numbers within neutrophils and adherent to epithelial cells. The small size of the organisms raised suspicion for Mycoplasma. Culture of the transtracheal wash fluid resulted in growth of a Mycoplasma sp. The patient was treated with enrofloxacin and amoxicillin/clavulanate and made a full recovery. Recognizing Mycoplasma in transtracheal washes could aid in recommending the appropriate culture media or immunologic techniques, which could result in an accurate diagnosis of mycoplasmosis.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Enrofloxacin; Fluoroquinolones; Male; Mycoplasma Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Trachea

A contemporary (2002-2003) national collection of 2100 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae obtained from 30 sites in the nine United States (US) census regions were tested to determine the comparative antimicrobial properties of amoxicillin/clavulanate and 15 other antimicrobials. The rank order of antimicrobials with the lowest susceptibility rates was: penicillin (67.9%)or=41.1%), trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (38.9%), tetracyclines (22.2%) and clindamycin (10.0%). Geographical variation in the susceptibility patterns among US census zones was present with lowest penicillin and erythromycin susceptibility noted for West South Central and West North Central zones (or=+0.9%), sinus isolates (+2.7%), middle ear fluid isolates (+5.5%), penicillin-resistant strains (>or=+5.8%) and strains from patients <2 years of age (>or=+2.4%). Local and global surveillance studies of common respiratory pathogens such as S. pneumoniae remain instrumental to guide clinicians in appropriate empirical treatments and to emphasize the need for prudent antimicrobial use.

Topics: Adolescent; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Community-Acquired Infections; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Humans; Infant; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; North America; Pneumococcal Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Topics: Acute Disease; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Patient Selection; Research Design; Respiratory Tract Infections; Rhinitis; Sinusitis; Treatment Failure

A new, pharmacokinetically enhanced, oral formulation of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid has been developed to overcome resistance in the major bacterial respiratory pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae, while maintaining excellent activity against Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis, including beta-lactamase producing strains. This study was conducted to provide in vitro susceptibility data for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and 16 comparator agents against the key respiratory tract pathogens.. Susceptibility testing was performed on 9172 isolates collected from 95 centers in North America, Europe, Australia, and Hong Kong by broth microdilution MIC determination, according to NCCLS methods, using amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and 16 comparator antimicrobial agents. Results were interpreted according to NCCLS breakpoints and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) breakpoints based on oral dosing regimens.. Overall, 93.5% of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid at the current susceptible breakpoint of < or =2 microg/mL and 97.3% at the PK/PD susceptible breakpoint of < or =4 microg/mL for the extended release formulation. Proportions of isolates that were penicillin intermediate and resistant were 13% and 16.5%, respectively, while 25% were macrolide resistant and 21.8% trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole resistant. 21.9% of Haemophilus influenzae were beta-lactamase producers and 16.8% trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole resistant, >99% of isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefixime, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin at NCCLS breakpoints. The most active agents against Moraxella catarrhalis were amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, macrolides, cefixime, fluoroquinolones, and doxycycline. Overall, 13% of Streptococcus pyogenes were resistant to macrolides.. The extended release formulation of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid has potential for empiric use against many respiratory tract infections worldwide due to its activity against species resistant to many agents currently in use.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Australia; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Europe; Haemophilus influenzae; Hong Kong; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Moraxella catarrhalis; North America; Population Surveillance; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae

To assess the cost effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis for haematogenous bacterial arthritis in patients with joint disease.. In a decision analysis, data from a prospective study on bacterial arthritis in 4907 patients with joint disease were combined with literature data to assess risks and benefits of antibiotic prophylaxis. Effectiveness and cost effectiveness calculations were performed on antibiotic prophylaxis for various patient groups. Grouping was based on (a) type of event leading to transient bacteraemia-that is, infections (dermal, respiratory/urinary tract) and invasive medical procedures-and (b) the patient's susceptibility to bacterial arthritis which was increased in the presence of rheumatoid arthritis, large joint prostheses, comorbidity, and old age.. Of the patients with joint disease, 59% had no characteristics that increased susceptibility to bacterial arthritis, and 31% had one. For dermal infections, the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis was maximally 35 quality adjusted life days (QALDs) and the cost effectiveness maximally $52 000 per quality adjusted life year (QALY). For other infections, the effectiveness of prophylaxis was lower and the cost effectiveness higher. Prophylaxis for invasive medical procedures seemed to be acceptable only in patients with high susceptibility: 1 QALD at a cost of $1300/QALY; however, the results were influenced substantially when the level of efficacy of the prophylaxis or cost of prophylactic antibiotics was changed.. Prophylaxis seems to be indicated only for dermal infections, and for infections of the urinary and respiratory tract in patients with increased susceptibility to bacterial arthritis. Prophylaxis for invasive medical procedures, such as dental treatment, may only be indicated for patients with joint disease who are highly susceptible.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Arthritis, Infectious; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Confidence Intervals; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Decision Support Techniques; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Prostheses and Implants; Quality-Adjusted Life Years; Respiratory Tract Infections; Risk Factors; ROC Curve; Skin Diseases, Bacterial; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Urinary Tract Infections

This study aims to ascertain the variability in the use of antibiotics for the treatment of acute respiratoryinfections in several hospital emergency services in Spain, as well as the appropriateness of antibiotics prescription through evaluation by a panel of experts using available scientific evidence.. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the emergency services of 10 hospitals in different Spanish regions. We chose patients diagnosed as having acute respiratory infection, aged over 14 years. Among the collected variables were: type of respiratory infection, antibiotic prescription, comorbidity, qualification of the prescribing doctor and hospital admission. The consensus conference held by a panel of experts established first choice treatment and the alternative and inappropriate use for each respiratory infection, based on the available scientific evidence. All the observed prescriptions in our study were classified according to this pattern.. A sample of 2899 acute respiratory infections was studied (5.5% of all emergencies). Antibacterial agent treatment was prescribed in 82.6% of these, varying according to the infection between 98.5% of pneumonias and 49% of croup-influenza-common cold. The most commonly used antibiotics were amoxicillin-clavulanate and cefuroxime. The global percentage of inappropriate prescription was 40.5% (95% CI; 35.4-45.5). The prescriptions were inappropriate in 16.9% of cases of pharyngotonsillitis, 17.8% of chronic bronchitis, 26.9% of acute bronchitis, 29.3% of pneumonias, 30.8% of otitis and sinusitis and in 70.8% of croup, flu, common cold and non-specified infections. Significant variability among participating centres was observed, both in choice of antibiotics and in their degree of appropriateness.. There is excessive use of antimicrobial drugs in acute respiratory infections, and the majority are used for viral infections. There is indiscriminate use of broad spectrum antibiotics, which are valid in some infections but clearly inappropriate in others. Similarly, there are important differences in the choice of antibiotics and their degree of appropriateness among hospitals.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cefuroxime; Cluster Analysis; Consensus Development Conferences as Topic; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drug Prescriptions; Emergency Medical Services; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Otitis; Respiratory Tract Infections; Retrospective Studies; Spain

Topics: Adult; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Child; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Humans; Infant; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Adult; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Australia; Cephalexin; Child, Preschool; Clinical Competence; Drug Utilization; Erythromycin; Family Practice; Female; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; Male; Practice Patterns, Physicians'; Respiratory Tract Infections

Two models of respiratory tract infection were used to investigate the pharmacodynamics of amoxicillin-clavulanate against Streptococcus pneumoniae. Eight strains of S. pneumoniae were used in a mouse model in which the animals were infected intranasally and were then treated with a range of doses and dose intervals. The time that the plasma amoxicillin concentration remained above the MIC (T>MIC) correlated well with bacterial killing, such that if T>MIC was below 20% there was no effect on bacterial numbers in the lungs. As T>MIC increased, the response, in terms of decreased bacterial load, improved and at T>MICs of greater than 35 to 40% of the dosing interval, bacteriological cure was maximal. On the basis of equivalent T>MICs, these data would suggest that in humans a dosage of 500 mg three times daily (t.i.d.) should have efficacy equal to that of a dosage of 875 mg twice daily (b.i.d.). This hypothesis was evaluated in a rat model in which amoxicillin-clavulanate was given by computer-controlled intravenous infusion to achieve concentrations that approximate the concentrations achieved in the plasma of humans following oral administration of 500/125 mg t.i.d. or 875/125 mg b.i.d. Infusions continued for 3 days and bacterial numbers in the lungs 2 h after the cessation of the infusion were significantly reduced (P < 0.01) by both treatments in strains of S. pneumoniae for which amoxicillin MICs were below 2 microg/ml. When tested against a strain of S. pneumoniae for which the amoxicillin MIC was 4 microg/ml, the simulated 500/125-mg dose was ineffective but the 875/125-mg dose demonstrated a small but significant (P < 0. 01) reduction in bacterial numbers. These data confirm the findings in the mouse and indicate that amoxicillin-clavulanate administered at 875/125 mg b.i.d. would be as effective clinically as amoxicillin-clavulanate administered at 500/125 mg t.i.d.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Animals; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Mice; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Models, Biological; Pneumococcal Infections; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine if the efficacy of amoxicillin-clavulanate against penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae could be improved by increasing the pediatric amoxicillin unit dose (90 versus 45 mg/kg of body weight/day) while maintaining the clavulanate unit dose at 6.4 mg/kg/day. A rat pneumonia model was used. In that model approximately 6 log10 CFU of one of four strains of S. pneumoniae (amoxicillin MICs, 2 microg/ml [one strain], 4 microg/ml [two strains], and 8 microg/ml [one strain]) were instilled into the bronchi of rats. Amoxicillin-clavulanate was given by computer-controlled intravenous infusion to approximate the concentrations achieved in the plasma of children following the administration of oral doses of 45/6.4 mg/kg/day or 90/6.4 mg/kg/g/day divided every 12 h or saline as a control for a total of 3 days. Infusions continued for 3 days, and 2 h after the cessation of infusion, bacterial numbers in the lungs were significantly reduced by the 90/6.4-mg/kg/day equivalent dosage for strains for which amoxicillin MICs were 2 or 4 microg/ml. The 45/6.4-mg/kg/day equivalent dosage was fully effective only against the strain for which the amoxicillin MIC was 2 microg/ml and had marginal efficacy against one of the two strains for which amoxicillin MICs were 4 microg/ml. The bacterial load for the strain for which the amoxicillin MIC was 8 microg/ml was not reduced with either dosage. These data demonstrate that regimens which achieved concentrations in plasma above the MIC for at least 34% of a 24-h dosing period resulted in significant reductions in the number of viable bacteria, indicating that the efficacy of amoxicillin-clavulanate can be extended to include efficacy against less susceptible strains of S. pneumoniae by increasing the amoxicillin dose.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Penicillin Resistance; Pneumococcal Infections; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae

High doses of amoxicillin, equivalent to those produced by 500- and 750-mg oral doses in humans (area under the plasma concentration-time curve), were effective against a penicillin-resistant strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae in an experimental respiratory tract infection in immunocompromised rats; this superior activity confirms the results of previous studies. An unexpected enhancement of amoxicillin's antibacterial activity in vivo against penicillin-resistant and -susceptible S. pneumoniae strains was observed when subtherapeutic doses of amoxicillin were coadministered with the beta-lactamase inhibitor potassium clavulanate. The reason for this enhancement was unclear since these organisms do not produce beta-lactamase. The differential binding of clavulanic acid and amoxicillin to penicillin-binding proteins may have contributed to the observed effects.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Animals; Area Under Curve; Colony Count, Microbial; Drug Therapy, Combination; Lung; Male; Penicillin Resistance; Pneumococcal Infections; Rats; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae

The antimicrobial susceptibility of 1078 isolates of Haemophilus influenzae, 348 Streptococcus pneumoniae and 258 Moraxella catarrhalis was determined. Overall 15.1% of H. influenzae produced beta-lactamase; 98.8% were susceptible to co-amoxiclav, 85.8% to cefaclor, 96% to clarithromycin and 100% to ciprofloxacin. The majority (94.2%) of M. catarrhalis produced beta-lactamase. The overall prevalence of low-level penicillin resistance (MIC = 0.12-1 mg/L) amongst isolates of S. pneumoniae was 3.4% and that of high-level resistance (MIC > or = 2 mg/L) was 3.7%. Most (96.3%) of the isolates of S. pneumoniae were susceptible to amoxycillin (MIC < or = 0.5 mg/L), 96% to cefaclor (MIC < or = 8 mg/L), 90.7% to clarithromycin (MIC < or = 0.25 mg/L) and 89% to ciprofloxacin (MIC < or = 1 mg/L).

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Ampicillin; Ampicillin Resistance; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; beta-Lactam Resistance; beta-Lactamases; Cefaclor; Cephalosporins; Ciprofloxacin; Clarithromycin; Common Cold; Community-Acquired Infections; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Moraxella catarrhalis; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Penicillins; Respiratory System; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae; United Kingdom

One hundred and three cats presenting with clinical signs of feline acute upper respiratory infection were selected from Belgium, France and the Netherlands in a randomised comparative field trial. Each cat underwent a bacteriological examination before treatment (day 0) and received either marbofloxacin, at a dosage of 2 mg/kg once daily for five days, or amoxycillin-clavulanic acid (ACA) at a dosage of 12.5 mg/kg twice daily for five days. Clinical examinations were performed on days 2, 5 and 14. Pasteurella species were cultured in one-third of the samples. The other main bacteria isolated were Streptococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcaceae. Response rates (cures + improvements) to treatment on day 5 were 87.8 vs 77.8 per cent for marbofloxacin and ACA, respectively. A few mild side-effects (diarrhoea, vomiting) were recorded with both drugs.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Cat Diseases; Cats; Fluoroquinolones; Quinolones; Random Allocation; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Outcome

A study was conducted on the in vitro activity of ampicillin/sulbactam against 100 respiratory strains of Haemophilus influenzae (45 betalactamase positive and 55 betalactamase negative strains) simultaneously isolated during 1997 in 6 Spanish hospitals: Hospital Clínico San Carlos (Madrid), Hospital de Cruces de Basurto (Bilbao), Hospital La Fe (Valencia), Hospital Virgen Macarena (Seville), Hospital de Bellvitge (Barcelona) and Hospital Clínico Universitario (Salamanca). It was studied in comparison to amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefuroxime, clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin. The MIC breakpoints used for the interpretation of data were those published by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards in 1997. All of the strains tested were susceptible to ampicillin/sulbactam, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefuroxime and ciprofloxacin. The rate of resistance to clarithromycin was 55.5% for betalactamase positive strains and 38. 2% for betalactamase negative strains. A total of 23.6% of the betalactamase negative strains were resistant or showed intermediate susceptibility to amoxicillin but were susceptible to betalactam/betalactamase inhibitor combinations and cefuroxime.

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Ampicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; beta-Lactamases; Cefuroxime; Cephalosporins; Ciprofloxacin; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Drug Therapy, Combination; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Penicillins; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sulbactam

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria, Anaerobic; Bacterial Infections; Community-Acquired Infections; Drug Therapy, Combination; Empyema, Pleural; Humans; Lung Abscess; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pleurisy; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Respiratory Tract Infections

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; beta-Lactamases; Bronchitis; Colony Count, Microbial; Community-Acquired Infections; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Opportunistic Infections; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Topics: Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Ampicillin; Ampicillin Resistance; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child, Preschool; Community-Acquired Infections; Drug Therapy, Combination; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Penicillin Resistance; Penicillins; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Pneumonia, Pneumococcal; Pneumonia, Staphylococcal; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae

Comparative antibacterial efficacies of erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin were examined against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, with amoxicillin-clavulanate used as the active control. In vitro, the macrolides at twice their MICs and at concentrations achieved in humans were bacteriostatic or reduced the numbers of viable S. pneumoniae slowly, whereas amoxicillin-clavulanate showed a rapid antibacterial effect. Against H. influenzae, erythromycin, clarithromycin, and clarithromycin plus 14-hydroxy clarithromycin at twice their MICs produced a slow reduction in bacterial numbers, whereas azithromycin was bactericidal. Azithromycin at the concentrations achieved in the serum of humans was bacteriostatic, whereas erythromycin and clarithromycin were ineffective. In experimental respiratory tract infections in rats, clarithromycin (equivalent to 250 mg twice daily [b.i.d.]) and amoxicillin-clavulanate (equivalent to 500 plus 125 mg b.i.d., respectively) were highly effective against S. pneumoniae, but azithromycin (equivalent to 500 and 250 mg once daily) was significantly less effective (P < 0.01). Against H. influenzae, clarithromycin treatment (equivalent to 250 or 500 mg b.i.d.) was similar to no treatment and was significantly less effective than amoxicillin-clavulanate treatment (P < 0.01). Azithromycin demonstrated significant in vivo activity (P < 0.05) but was significantly less effective than amoxicillin-clavulanate (P < 0.05). Overall, amoxicillin-clavulanate was effective in vitro and in vivo. Clarithromycin and erythromycin were ineffective in vitro and in vivo against H. influenzae, and azithromycin (at concentrations achieved in humans) showed unreliable activity against both pathogens. These results may have clinical implications for the utility of macrolides in the empiric therapy of respiratory tract infections.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Area Under Curve; Azithromycin; Clarithromycin; Drug Therapy, Combination; Erythromycin; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Time Factors

Recently, it has been demonstrated that paranasal sinuses are an important site of nitric oxide (NO) production in the upper airways. The aim of this study was to evaluate the NO nasal concentration in children with acute maxillary sinusitis before and after treatment with antibiotic therapy. We performed NO nasal measurements in 16 children 4 to 13 yr of age with acute maxillary sinusitis and compared values with 16 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. The diagnosis of acute sinusitis was done by clinical signs and symptoms in addition to radiographic examination. NO nasal concentrations were measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer. Nasal NO steady state during oral breathing was recorded. The mean +/- SEM NO nasal concentration in children with sinusitis was 70 +/- 8.7 parts per billion (ppb) and increased significantly to 220 +/- 15 ppb (p < 0.001) after antibiotic therapy (amoxicillin/clavulanate). NO values after recovery from sinusitis were similar to those of healthy control subjects (245 +/- 15 ppb, p = NS). NO nasal measurements were also performed before and after antibiotic treatment in nine children 4 to 12 yr of age with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection but no symptoms of sinusitis. In these children NO nasal levels were 249 +/- 32 ppb and did not change (p = NS) after antibiotic therapy. We conclude that during acute maxillary sinusitis the concentration of nasal NO is largely decreased, probably because of an impaired flow of NO from the paranasal sinuses, and that NO returns to normal levels after antibiotic therapy.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Child; Child, Preschool; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Maxillary Sinusitis; Nasal Mucosa; Nitric Oxide; Respiratory Tract Infections

The study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of Moraxella catarrhalis in patients with respiratory tract infections. Overall 514 specimens including 370 throat swabs and 114 sputum specimens were examined. The 78 strains isolated basing on morphological and biochemical characteristics were classified as Moraxella catarrhalis. The sensitivity of the strains to antibiotics was also estimated. The frequency of M. catarrhalis isolation from the throat swabs (15.9%) was higher than from the sputum (13.2%). Selected 25 specimens of sputum were tested simultaneously by quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative method was more sensitive (84% positive findings) than qualitative method (60% positive findings). Resistance to ampicillin was found in 52 (66.7%) strains of M. catarrhalis determined mainly by beta-lactamase production (over 70% strains were producers of beta-lactamase). All strains were sensitive to ofloxacin and amoxycillin/clavulanic acid combination. The frequency of M. catarrhalis isolation was higher in autumn-winter period than in summer (May-September). We conclude that M. catarrhalis, beside Streptococcus pyogenes (20.2%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (17.1%), are the most frequently isolated bacteria in patients with respiratory tract infections.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Ampicillin Resistance; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Humans; Incidence; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Moraxella catarrhalis; Ofloxacin; Pharynx; Respiratory Tract Infections; Seasons; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sputum

Topics: Adolescent; Ambulatory Care; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Ampicillin; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Bronchodilator Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Drug Therapy, Combination; Erythromycin; Gentamicins; Histamine Antagonists; Humans; Infant; Injections, Intramuscular; Penicillin G; Penicillins; Respiratory Tract Infections; Retrospective Studies; Russia; Treatment Outcome

A U.S. surveillance study of antimicrobial resistance in respiratory tract pathogens in the respiratory season (1996-1997) is reported that included 11,368 isolates from 434 institutions in 45 states and the District of Columbia. beta-lactamase was produced by 33.4% of Haemophilus influenzae and 92.7% of Moraxella catarrhalis. Of the 9,190 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates tested, 33.5% were not susceptible to penicillin (MIC > or = 0.12 microgram/mL), with 13.6% having high-level resistance (MICs > 1 microgram/mL). For H. influenzae, the most active antimicrobials (based on percent of strains susceptible) were levofloxacin (100%) and ceftriaxone (99.9%); the least active were ampicillin (67.2%) and clarithromycin (58.1%). For M. catarrhalis, the most active drugs were amoxicillin-clavulanate, ceftriaxone, and levofloxacin (100%); the least active was ampicillin. The order of the activity of the drugs against S. pneumoniae were levofloxacin (97.3%) > ceftriaxone (87.1%) > amoxicillin-clavulanate (81.7%) = clarithromycin (80.9%) > cefuroxime (74.5%) > penicillin (66.5%). The activity of the beta-lactams and clarithromycin against isolates of S. pneumoniae was closely associated with the resistance to penicillin. Levofloxacin was more active against S. pneumoniae overall, because it exhibited no cross-resistance. These data indicate that the incidence of beta-lactamase production in H. influenzae (33.4%) and M. catarrhalis (92.7%) is similar to other recent studies, and that the incidence of penicillin-intermediate and -resistant S. pneumoniae is increasing, particularly the high-level penicillin-resistant (MICs > 1 microgram/mL) strains, which were often multi-resistant.

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; beta-Lactamases; Ceftriaxone; Cefuroxime; Clarithromycin; Cohort Studies; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Levofloxacin; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Moraxella catarrhalis; Ofloxacin; Respiratory Tract Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae; United States

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; Clavulanic Acids; Connective Tissue Diseases; Drug Therapy, Combination; Enzyme Inhibitors; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Penicillins; Respiratory Tract Infections; Skin Diseases, Bacterial; Ticarcillin; Urinary Tract Infections

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Cefixime; Cefotaxime; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sputum

Two cases (first cases from Poland and Eastern Europe) with liver injury due to amoxycillin-clavulanic acid (augmentin) are reported. Pruritus and jaundice were the main symptoms. Liver biopsy revealed mixed hepatocellular-cholestatic liver injury in both cases. In addition, in one case the microgranulomalike aggregate of inflammatory cells was found. Clinical and laboratory abnormalities returned to normal within 13 weeks.

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic; Clavulanic Acid; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Combinations; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Granuloma; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; Tonsillitis

The efficacy of an antibiotic is related to its concentration at the site of infection. Previous studies of the concentrations of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid (co-amoxiclav) in respiratory secretions or whole lung tissue have suffered from methodological problems. The concentration of amoxycillin and clavulanic acid was determined in bronchial mucosal biopsy samples obtained at bronchoscopy following five different dosing regimens.. Bronchial biopsy and serum samples were obtained from 50 patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy. Ten patients each received 375 mg, 625 mg, 750 mg, and 3.25 g oral, and 1.2 g intravenous co-amoxiclav 1-3 hours before bronchoscopy. The concentrations of clavulanic acid and amoxycillin were determined by high performance liquid chromatography using a microbore column, solid phase extraction, and preconcentration to improve sensitivity tenfold over previous methods.. Concentrations of both clavulanic acid and amoxycillin in bronchial mucosa were dose related and were well above the MIC90 of co-amoxiclav for the common bacterial respiratory pathogens including Haemophilus influenzae, Micrococcus catarrhalis and Streptococcus pneumoniae for all dosing regimens. Mean mucosal levels were 200% and 118% of the corresponding serum levels for amoxycillin and clavulanic acid respectively.. Amoxycillin and clavulanic acid are concentrated in bronchial mucosa and, even at the lowest dose of 375 mg orally, are likely to produce tissue levels in the lung sufficient to inhibit all the common community acquired respiratory pathogens.

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Bronchi; Bronchoscopy; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Mucous Membrane; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sensitivity and Specificity

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections; Roxithromycin

Topics: 4-Quinolones; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Chlamydia Infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Erythromycin; Female; Mice; Respiratory Tract Infections; Tetracyclines

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Global Health; Humans; Male; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Surgical Wound Infection; Urinary Tract Infections

The attainable inhibitory ratios (AR) for oral antibiotics were calculated by using literature reports of concentrations attained in respiratory secretions for amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AMX/CA), ofloxacin (OFL), L-ofloxacin (L-OFL), cefuroxime (CEFU), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and enoxacin (ENO), and using microdilution minimum inhibitory concentration data of these antimicrobials against the common bacterial respiratory pathogens. AR of each antibiotic against the pathogens was expressed as multiples of the MICs achieved at the respiratory site. Bacteria tested included Staphylococcus aureus, group-A and group-B streptococci, Viridans streptococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Brahamella catarrhalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Eikenella corrodens, Haemophilus influenzae, H. parainfluenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Legionella pneumophila. The antimicrobials with the narrowest spectrum of activity were amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and cefuroxime which had high attainable inhibitory ratios only against Gram-positive cocci. Ofloxacin and L-oflaxacin were among the quinolones with the highest overall ARs against respiratory pathogen, including, L. pneumophila, H. influenzae, and B. catarrhalis. All agents showed no, or inadequately low ARs for P. aeruginosa.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Cefuroxime; Ciprofloxacin; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Enoxacin; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Humans; Molecular Conformation; Ofloxacin; Respiratory System; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sputum

Susceptibility of 327 S. aureus strains isolated in 1988 from various materials obtained from patients hospitalized in various hospitals of Wrocław city has been studied. Antibiograms were made by the use of diffusion-disc method for 21 antibiotics, including augmentin. Penicillin and oxytetracycline showed weak action on the strains studies; percentage of sensitive strains was 8.6% and 27.6%, respectively. Efficacious effects, more than 90% of strains, showed vancomycin, rifampicin, netilmicin, cefamandole++, amikacin and cefalotin. Susceptibility for augmentin was equal to 89.3%, and for other 12 antibiotics 50 to 89%. Multiresistant strains presented 19.6% of all specimen studied: large percentage of that strains was isolated from Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy (56.8%) and pediatry departments (26.4%). Most frequently they occur in the urine (33.3%). They showed high susceptibility to vancomycin (100%), rifampicin (98.4%), netilmicin (93.8%) and cefamandole++ (85.9%). Susceptibility to augmentin was 54.7%.

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteriuria; Clavulanic Acids; Cross Infection; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sputum; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus

Topics: Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Clavulanic Acids; Ear Diseases; Female; Humans; Infections; Male; Nose Diseases; Respiratory Tract Infections; Ticarcillin; Tonsillitis

Topics: Aged; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Bronchitis; Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sputum

Lung secretions from patients with bronchiectasis have been studied before and during treatment with amoxycillin/clavulanate (Augmentin 750 mg tds). beta-Lactamase activity was usually present in the sputum sol phase and originated from organisms not usually considered to be the major pathogen. The presence of beta-lactamase was related to inactivation of amoxycillin in the lung secretions. Extensive bacteriological investigation of the sputum before therapy showed several organisms to be present in each sample. Six of eight patients showed a good clinical and biochemical response to therapy with amoxycillin/clavulanate. This, however, could not be predicted or explained by the results of bacterial investigation although Haemophilus influenzae was eradicated in three of these responders. beta-Lactamase activity did not change during treatment, and this investigation thus failed to produce indirect evidence of penetration of clavulanate into the secretions.

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; beta-Lactamases; Bronchiectasis; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Lung; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sputum

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Cefprozil; Cephalosporins; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Combinations; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Humans; Moraxella catarrhalis; Respiratory Tract Infections

The clinical efficacy of intravenous Augmentin (a formulation containing amoxycillin plus clavulanic acid) was investigated in an open study in fifty-eight children with a mean age of 6 years (range 1-15 years). The normal dosage was in the range 100-200 mg/kg/day Augmentin, administered parenterally by short i.v. infusion in 3 or 4 divided doses. Most patients were hospitalised for lower respiratory tract infections. Complete clinical cure or distinct clinical improvement was achieved in all assessable cases. Bacteriological success was obtained in 92% of the assessable cases. In two patients, mild, transient exanthema was noted after i.v. Augmentin was replaced by oral Augmentin. No additional therapeutic measures were required.

Topics: Adolescent; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Bacterial Infections; Child; Child, Preschool; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Combinations; Female; Humans; Infant; Infusions, Parenteral; Male; Penicillin Resistance; Respiratory Tract Infections; Urinary Tract Infections

The in vitro susceptibilities of various causative organisms recently isolated from patients with primary respiratory tract infections to BRL 25000 (a formulation of amoxicillin, 2 parts, and potassium clavulanate, 1 part), amoxicillin (AMPC), cefaclor (CCL), cephalexin (CEX), cefadroxil (CDX) and cefroxadine (CXD) were determined. beta-Lactamase producing strains were detected by nitrocefin chromogenic method and PCG acidometric method. The frequency of isolation of beta-lactamase production in strains of S. aureus, H. influenzae, B. catarrhalis and K. pneumoniae was 92%, 18%, 36% and 98%, respectively. Against S. aureus strains with MIC values to AMPC of less than or equal to 100 micrograms/ml and CEX of less than or equal to 25 micrograms/ml BRL 25000 showed MIC values in the range 0.39-6.25 micrograms/ml with inocula of 10(6) CFU/ml, while BRL 25000 required 12.5-100 micrograms/ml of concentrations for inhibition of the strains with MIC values to AMPC of greater than 100 micrograms/ml and CEX of greater than or equal to 25 micrograms/ml. Against S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae BRL 25000 showed MIC values in the range less than 0.024-0.10 micrograms/ml with inocula of 10(6) CFU/ml, which is much more active than CCL, CEX, CDX and CXD and slight less active than AMPC. Against H. influenzae and B. catarrhalis BRL 25000 showed MIC values in the range 0.20-6.25 micrograms/ml with inocula of 10(6) CFU/ml, which showed most potent activity among the agents tested. The activity of BRL 25000 against K. pneumoniae was approximately equal to that of CCL and superior to that of AMPC, CEX, CDX and CXD.

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Bacteria; beta-Lactamases; Cefaclor; Cefadroxil; Cephalexin; Cephradine; Clavulanic Acids; Drug Combinations; Drug Evaluation; Humans; Respiratory Tract Infections

Twenty-five hospitalised patients were evaluated after treatment with oral augmentin (amoxycillin and clavulanic acid). Ten of 14 with respiratory tract, four of eight with urinary tract and five of five with miscellaneous infections (two with osteomyelitis, two typhoid carriers and one with typhoid fever) were cured. Three of four infections caused by amoxycillin resistant bacteria were cured. The drug was well tolerated even at relatively high clavulanic acid doses up to 1.0 g/day. Augmentin is a potentially useful antibiotic combination.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; Drug Combinations; Drug Evaluation; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Humans; Klebsiella Infections; Male; Middle Aged; Penicillin Resistance; Proteus Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Urinary Tract Infections

Twenty-three patients were treated with Augmentin for severe respiratory tract infections caused by beta-lactamase producing organisms. The success rate, clinically and bacteriologically, was 19 out of 23. One non beta-lactamase producing H. influenzae, and three mixed organisms including Staph aureus accounted for the four failures. The elimination of the organisms, sensitive to Augmentin were quick and clinical improvement was seen in 72 hours. The only side effects noted were nausea in three patients, which abated on taking the tablets with meals. Augmentin is a useful drug in the treatment of respiratory tract infection particularly in acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis.

Topics: Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; beta-Lactamases; Drug Combinations; Humans; Penicillin Resistance; Respiratory Tract Infections

Augmentin was used to treat 40 patients in general practice with exacerbations of bronchiectasis or chronic obstructive airways disease who had not responded clinically to treatment with antimicrobial agents. After ten days treatment 15 patients (38%) were clinically free from infection, 21 (52%) had improved but their sputum still contained pus. Four patients (10%) did not respond to treatment. Pathogens were isolated from 63 per cent of the patients; Haemophilus influenzae was the most common. The clinical response was significantly better in patients from whom recognised pathogens were not isolated.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Amoxicillin; Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Combinations; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sputum