Ventilator-associated pneumonia: gearing towards shorter-course therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The studies that are reviewed in this article have all concluded that a shorter duration of antibiotic therapy (7-8 days) may be adequate in the treatment of the majority of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia, and does not confer an increased incidence of mortality.


RESULTS
Ventilator-associated pneumonia has traditionally been treated with at least 2 weeks of antimicrobial therapy. With the increasing emergence of multi-drug-resistant pathogens, however, efforts have been directed at minimizing the duration of therapy. Several studies have emerged over the last few years aiming to shorten the duration of antimicrobial therapy for ventilator-associated pneumonia.


CONCLUSIONS
The minimum effective duration of antibiotic therapy, however, remains unclear. Further studies geared towards determining this are needed.
Chua
Thea de Jesus
Tde J
Summa Health System, 75 Arch Street, Akron, OH 44304, USA.
File
Thomas M
TM
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents