Piperacillin/tazobactam in the treatment of polymicrobial infections.
Polymicrobial infections are characterized by the presence of micro-organisms from more than one group of bacteria. Empirical treatment of polymicrobial infections requires an agent active against both anaerobic and aerobic/facultative bacteria. An aminoglycoside used in combination with an anti-anaerobe agent is commonly used to treat polymicrobial infections. However, aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity and treatment failures raise questions about the use of such regimens. Among non-aminoglycoside treatment regimens such as penicillin and cephalosporins, effectiveness has been compromised by bacteria producing extended spectrum beta-lactamases. Cefoxitin shows satisfactory results for treatment of intra-abdominal infections. Other studies have shown good results with imipenem, cefotetan and piperacillin used as single agents. Piperacillin/tazobactam, a new combination broad-spectrum antibiotic and potent beta-lactamase inhibitor, can be used for the treatment of infections caused by piperacillin-sensitive micro-organisms as well as beta-lactamase-producing, piperacillin-resistant organisms. This broad-spectrum activity is appropriate for infections traditionally treated empirically by double or triple antibiotic therapy.
Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
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Gorbach
D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D010397:Penicillanic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010878:Piperacillin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000078142:Tazobactam; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors
D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010406:Penicillins; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; D010397:Penicillanic Acid; D000078142:Tazobactam; D010878:Piperacillin