Approach to therapy of respiratory infections in the critical care setting.
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.
Pennington
J E
JE
Clinical Research Department, Cutter Biological, Miles Inc, Berkeley, California 94701.
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*
D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D008795:Metronidazole; D002939:Ciprofloxacin