title: Role of beta-lactam agents in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia.
abstract: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common illness associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The beta-lactam antibacterial agents have been the mainstay of therapy for CAP for over four decades and remain as first-line therapy. However, the impact of the substantial prevalence of resistance seen among the common respiratory pathogens, particularly penicillin and macrolide resistance among Streptococcus pneumoniae, is now an area for concern. CAP treatment guidelines often recommend the use of a macrolide or fluoroquinolone in conjunction with, or as an alternative to, beta-lactam agents, but whether this is necessary is uncertain. This review outlines the historical use of beta-lactam antibacterial agents in the treatment of CAP along with their ongoing therapeutic utility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Hospital Mutua de Terrassa, Plaza Dr Robert 5, 08221 Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain. medinfec@mutuaterrassa.es
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D011018:Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams