title: Hemophilus influenzae respiratory infection in adults. 2. Treatment guidelines.
abstract: Once a Hemophilus influenzae isolate is identified as the cause of a respiratory tract infection in an adult, it should be tested for beta-lactamase production, ie, for ampicillin resistance. The incidence of ampicillin-resistant strains of H influenzae is increasing. The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta estimates an average incidence nationwide of 18% to 22%; the rate varies considerably from community to community. Thus, practitioners should be aware of the ampicillin-resistance rate in their community and should keep this rate in mind especially when treating patients empirically. Patients with H influenzae infections who are acutely ill, who fail to respond to ampicillin, or who are known to have an ampicillin-resistant infection on the basis of laboratory findings should receive therapy designed to combat ampicillin-resistant strains.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae; D006801:Humans; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D001618:beta-Lactamases
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000667:Ampicillin; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D014295:Trimethoprim; D001618:beta-Lactamases; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole