title: Potential role of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in the treatment of serious hospital-acquired bacterial infections.
abstract: Although trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) has become a standard agent for the treatment of a broad range of infections, it may often be overlooked as a choice for treatment of serious hospital-acquired infections. A review of the literature shows that a number of common and uncommon gram-negative and gram-positive organisms susceptible to TMP-SMZ are frequently resistant to cephalosporins. TMP-SMZ has, in addition to its exceptional microbiologic activity, pharmacokinetic characteristics that make it a potentially cost-effective alternative to third-generation cephalosporins in the treatment of serious hospital-acquired infections caused by susceptible organisms.
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D014295:Trimethoprim; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole