title: Cephalosporin-metronidazole combinations in the management of intra-abdominal infections.
abstract: With our current understanding of antimicrobial pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, optimal antimicrobial dosing strategies can be developed for a variety infectious processes. Herein, we discuss the clinical utility of a combination containing a third-generation cephalosporin plus metronidazole as compared to conventional single agents (cefoxitin and ampicillin-sulbactam) for the management intra-abdominal infections. At present, several studies have been performed that compare the bactericidal activity of such combinations to that of single agents for organisms commonly isolated from these intra-abdominal process. From these studies it appears that the use of a third-generation cephalosporin with strong activity against common aerobic organisms associated with intra-abdominal infections in combination with a potent anaerobic drug such as metronidazole provides improved antibacterial activity and optimizes the pharmacodynamic profile of the agents over the dosing interval compared to conventional single agents. As a result of the pharmacokinetic and pharmaco-dynamic superiority of the combination regimen, considerable pharmacoeconomic advantages may be realized with the clinical implementation of a third-generation cephalosporin plus metronidazole regimen. This approach should result in maximal clinical efficacy and is important not only for individual patient therapy, but also for formulary management decisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Hartford Hospital, CT 06102, USA.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Nicolau
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Quintiliani
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Nightingale
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D000994:Antitrichomonal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests
chemical_list: D000994:Antitrichomonal Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D008795:Metronidazole