title: Approach to therapy of respiratory infections in the critical care setting.
abstract: Therapy of pneumonia in the critical care setting includes intravenous antibiotics and supportive care. Since the etiologic agent of infection may not be clear, empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic regimens are often used. Combinations of beta-lactam and aminoglycoside agents are particularly popular regimens due to the high incidence of gram-negative bacillary and Staphylococcus aureus pneumonias in the critical care unit. Several new approaches to treatment of pneumonia in the critical care setting are being evaluated, including single-agent empiric coverage using a broad-spectrum beta-lactam agent; broad-spectrum quinolones, such as ciprofloxacin; intrabronchial aminoglycoside instillation therapy; and passive immune therapy with immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies.
authors: Clinical Research Department, Cutter Biological, Miles Inc, Berkeley, California 94701.
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Pennington
mesh_terms: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D008795:Metronidazole; D002939:Ciprofloxacin