title: [Clinical effect of continuous infusion of meropenem on bacterial pneumonia in the elderly].
abstract: We studied the clinical effect of continuous infusion over 24 hours of meropenem (MEPM) on bacterial pneumonia in the elderly (over 65). The subjects were 26 patients (community-acquired pneumonia: moderate, n = 9; severe, n= 4; hospital-acquired pneumonia: group III, n = 13) whose performance status was 3 or 4. MEPM 1.0g/day was infused continuously for 7-14 days, and its clinical efficacy, bacteriological efficacy, and side effects were examined prospectively. It was effective in 23 of the 26 patients (community-acquired pneumonia: moderate, 8/9; severe, 3/4; hospital-acquired pneumonia: group III, 12/13; efficacy rate: 88.5%). Bactericidal effects were obtained in 3 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, 2 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 2 strains of methicillin-sensitive Staphlococcus aureus, 1 strain of Streptococcus agalactiae and 1 strain of Proteus mirabilis, but not in 2 strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus, 1 strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 1 strain of Serratia marcescens. Mild abnormal laboratory findings were observed in 2 patients: elevation of GPT, gamma-GTP, BUN and elevation of ALP. Based on the above, continuous infusion of MEPM on bacterial pneumonia in the elderly obtained excellent clinical effects. Further study is needed to compare the efficacy of continuous versus intermittent administration of MEPM.
authors.affiliation: Center of Respiratory Diseases, Kawasaki Medical School, Kawasaki Hospital.
authors.forename: Niro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Okimoto
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kibayashi
authors.forename: Kimihiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mimura
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamato
authors.forename: Takeyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kurihara
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.forename: Kohichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Osaki
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Asaoka
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohba
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D000077731:Meropenem; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D013845:Thienamycins; D000077731:Meropenem