Continuous-infusion penicillin home-based therapy for serious infections due to penicillin-susceptible pathogens.
To evaluate the feasibility of continuous-infusion (CI) penicillin in the treatment of serious bacterial infections, consecutive adult patients with deep-seated infections due to penicillin-susceptible pathogens were treated with CI aqueous penicillin G in a home-based programme, and their treatment outcomes were reviewed. Thirty-one patients with microbiologically proven infections completed the planned course of treatment. Twenty of 31 (65%) were followed for at least 2 months thereafter, and all remained free of relapse. One patient had fever attributable to penicillin hypersensitivity, two patients developed catheter-site infections and one patient developed catheter-related bacteraemia. Thus, CI penicillin is feasible for the home-based treatment of a variety of deep-seated infections with minimal toxicity.
Walton
Aaron L
AL
Infectious Diseases Department, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Australia. aaronlwalton@hotmail.com
Howden
Benjamin P
BP
Grayson
Lindsay M
LM
Korman
Tony M
TM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D018718:Home Infusion Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010400:Penicillin G