title: UTIs and two new antibiotics in the elderly.
abstract: Of the new antimicrobials available for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs), aztreonam and imipenem/cilastatin represent two structurally unique, but distinct, classes of beta-lactam antibiotics. Aztreonam has a directed spectrum of activity covering gram-negative bacilli usually associated with UTIs. In comparative clinical trials of patients with complicated UTIs, aztreonam is well-tolerated and is as effective as conventional control regimens, including aminoglycosides. On the other hand, the antimicrobial spectrum of imipenem/cilastatin includes not only gram-negative bacilli but also gram-positive cocci and anaerobes. As such, this broad-spectrum antibiotic should be reserved for the treatment of mixed infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kimbrough
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001398:Aztreonam / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015377:Cilastatin; D000077728:Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination; D003521:Cyclopropanes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015378:Imipenem; D008297:Male; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013845:Thienamycins; D015377:Cilastatin; D015378:Imipenem; D000077728:Cilastatin, Imipenem Drug Combination; D001398:Aztreonam