title: The role of beta-lactam antimicrobials as single agents in treatment of intra-abdominal infection.
abstract: Broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics have several advantages in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections. These agents are effective against gram-negative rods and anaerobes, reach therapeutic levels rapidly after parenteral administration, and, in the absence of penicillin allergy, generally exhibit low toxicity. The second-generation cephalosporins (e.g., cefoxitin, cefotetan) are used widely in surgical prophylaxis, trauma, and treatment of mild-to-moderate community-acquired infections, but limitations in their spectra and microbial resistance restrict their utility in more serious infections. Extended-spectrum penicillin/beta-lactamase-inhibitor combinations are effective in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections and include enterococci in their spectrum. Gram-negative aerobe resistance has developed to ampicillin/sulbactam. Piperacillin/tazobactam, a ureidopenicillin with increased gram-negative coverage and enhanced antipseudomonal activity, has proved to be effective in clinical trial therapy for intra-abdominal infections. The very broad spectrum carbapenems--imipenem/cilastatin and meropenem--are effective for serious infections or resistant organisms and are often used in the intensive care unit or for nosocomial intra-abdominal infection. These classes of beta-lactams comprise a range of antimicrobials that can be targeted effectively as single agents to both prevention and treatment of intra-abdominal infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA 92668, USA.
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015780:Carbapenems / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002969:Clavulanic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010397:Penicillanic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010878:Piperacillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077725:Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination; D013407:Sulbactam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013982:Ticarcillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015780:Carbapenems; D002511:Cephalosporins; D002969:Clavulanic Acids; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D065093:beta-Lactamase Inhibitors; D000077725:Piperacillin, Tazobactam Drug Combination; C035444:sultamicillin; D000667:Ampicillin; C043215:ticarcillin-clavulanic acid; D010397:Penicillanic Acid; D013982:Ticarcillin; D013407:Sulbactam; D010878:Piperacillin