cilastatin--imipenem-drug-combination and Opportunistic-Infections

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Cilastatin; Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination; Cyclopropanes; Drug Combinations; Foot Diseases; Humans; Imipenem; Opportunistic Infections; Thienamycins

Imipenem/cilastatin sodium (IPM/CS) was administered to 102 patients with respiratory tract infections and lung cancer. Patients with other serious diseases were excluded and a total of 73 patients were enrolled. They were divided into 12 patients who underwent surgery (operated group) and 61 who did not (non-operated group); the latter group included 28 patients treated with anticancer agents or radiation therapy (treated group) and 33 untreated patients (untreated group). IPM/CS was effective in 75% of the patients, both with and without surgery. The drug was effective in 81% of the treated group, although many of the patients had Stage III or more advanced cancer, as well as bronchial occlusion. IPM/CS was also effective in 69% of the untreated group, although many of the patients have serious infections and a PS (Performance Status) of 3 or greater. Thus, IPM/CS treatment achieved good results. Bacteriological studies showed that 3 out of 4 strains in the operated group and 16 out of 18 in the non-operated group were eliminated. Safety was evaluated in all patients. Two patients (2%) experienced side effects and two others (2%) showed abnormal clinical findings, but the symptoms were mild and resolved after discontinuation or completion of therapy. In conclusion, IPM/CS was very effective for treating respiratory infections in patients with lung cancer.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carcinoma, Large Cell; Carcinoma, Small Cell; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cilastatin; Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination; Drug Combinations; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Imipenem; Infusions, Intravenous; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Opportunistic Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections

One hundred and nine patients with infections concurrent with hematopoietic disorders were treated with imipenem/cilastatin sodium (IPM/CS) either alone (IPM/CS monotherapy) or in combination with other antimicrobial drugs (IPM/CS combination therapy). The following results were obtained. 1. One hundred and nine patients were allocated at random to two groups: 53 patients to IPM/CS monotherapy and 56 patients to IPM/CS combination therapy. Fourteen patients (6 and 8 in the 2 groups, respectively) were excluded from the clinical evaluation. There were not significant differences between the two groups with respect to the background. 2. The efficacy rates of the 2 treatments against bacterial infections were as follows: in the IPM/CS monotherapy group, 62.5% in 8 patients with sepsis, 75.0% in 23 patients with fever of undetermined origin (FUO), 50.0% in 10 patients with pneumonia, and 68.3% in the 47 patients, and in the IPM/CS combination group, 85.7% in 7 patients with sepsis, 63.6% in 24 patients with FUO, 50.5% in 8 patients with pneumonia, and 67.4% in the 48 patients. The differences between the two groups were not significant. 3. Among the drugs used in combination with IPM/CS, antibiotics other than penicillins, cephalosporins, and aminoglycosides were used in 12 patients and a high efficacy rate of 91.7% was obtained. 4. Bacteriologically, 19 and 17 strains were isolated from the IPM/CS monotherapy and combination therapy groups respectively, and the eradication rates were 100% and 88.9% respectively. 5. Side effects were noted in 2 patients in the IPM/CS monotherapy group and 7 in the combination therapy group, but all of these resolved after discontinuation or completion of the treatment. The efficacies against severe bacterial infections in the presence of hematopoietic disorders were not different between IPM/CS alone and IPM/CS in combination with other antibiotics. Adverse reactions were uncommon with the monotherapy.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aminoglycosides; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Cephalosporins; Cilastatin; Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination; Drug Combinations; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Hematologic Diseases; Humans; Imipenem; Immunocompromised Host; Male; Middle Aged; Opportunistic Infections; Penicillins

Ralstonia pickettii, formerly known as Burkholderia pickettii, is a non-fermentative gram-negative bacillus. It is emerging as an opportunistic pathogen both in the hospital setting and in the environment, leading to outbreaks especially in the intensive care units. The available literature revealed two case reports of pneumonia associated with R. pickettii in adults. In this report, a case of pneumoniae due to R. pickettii, in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was presented. Fifty-six years old male patient was admitted to the hospital with complaints of shortness of breath, cough, purulent sputum, weakness, fatigue and green colorred diarrhea lacking blood. Lung auscultation revealed decreased respiratory sounds in the right lower lobe. Laboratory findings yielded decreased arterial pH and paO2 and increased pCO2 values, while hemoglobin, hematocrite, blood urea and creatinine levels were increased. Chest X-ray showed an infiltration on right lower zone. The patient was intubated and imipenem 1 x 500 mg/day and netilmicin 1 x 80 mg/day were initiated. Deep tracheal aspirate specimen revealed gram-negative rods and leukocytes, and cultures yielded growth of non-fermentative gram-negative bacilli on blood agar and EMB agar. These bacilli were identified as R. pickettii by using VITEK 2 system (bi-oMerieux Inc, Mercy L'etoil, France). Antibiotic sensitivity test performed by VITEK 2 GP system (bioMerieux Inc, Mercy L'etoil, France) revealed sensitivity to ceftriaxone, imipenem/cilastatin, piperacillin/tazobactam, amikacin, gentamicin, cefoperazone-sulbactam and ciprofloxacin. Treatment with imipenem/cilastatin was continued for 14 days and the patient was completely recovered. This case was presented in order to call attention to R. pickettii as a pathogen that may cause community-acquired lower respiratory tract infection.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cilastatin; Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination; Community-Acquired Infections; Drug Combinations; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Humans; Imipenem; Male; Middle Aged; Opportunistic Infections; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Protease Inhibitors; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Ralstonia pickettii; Treatment Outcome

We report a case of pulmonary nocardiosis in a 69-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis who was receiving corticosteroid treatment. The patient received prednisolone for rheumatoid arthritis and antibiotics for his fever and pneumonia in another hospital, but the response to the therapy was poor. After admission to our hospital, he improved following treatment with imipenem/cilastatin for Nocardia asteroides. Pulmonary nocardiosis is difficult to diagnose and should be considered in the differential diagnosis, especially in an immunocompromised host.

Topics: Aged; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Cilastatin; Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Combinations; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Imipenem; Lung; Male; Nocardia asteroides; Nocardia Infections; Opportunistic Infections; Prednisolone; Sputum