title: Secondary bacterial infections in HIV-infected patients: an alternative ambulatory outpatient treatment utilizing intravenous cefotaxime.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of home intravenous antibiotic therapy in treating secondary bacterial infections in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study was a subset analysis of 22 patients with HIV, enrolled in two centers of a multicenter, open-label, prospective study. When necessary, patients were stabilized as inpatients, followed by home therapy. Enrolled patients had diagnoses of pneumonia, skin and soft-tissue infections, bacteremia/septicemia, or other infections requiring parenteral therapy. A third-generation cephalosporin, cefotaxime, 1-2 g every 8 hours, was delivered intravenously using an ambulatory delivery system (ADS). Home therapy with cefotaxime/ADS produced a clinical response rate of 95% and bacteriologic response of 88.2%. The requirement for and duration of inpatient therapy was markedly reduced compared with diagnosis-related group (DRG) allotments. In conclusion, home intravenous antibiotic therapy with cefotaxime in patients infected with HIV is effective and safe. It may improve quality of life by reducing the length of hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: Ashford Presbyterian Community Hospital, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00907.
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Von Behren
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002439:Cefotaxime / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D002439:Cefotaxime