title: Gram-negative antibiotic resistance: there is a price to pay.
abstract: Resistance rates are increasing among several problematic Gram-negative pathogens that are often responsible for serious nosocomial infections, including Acinetobacter spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and (because of their production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase) Enterobacteriaceae. The presence of multiresistant strains of these organisms has been associated with prolonged hospital stays, higher health care costs, and increased mortality, particularly when initial antibiotic therapy does not provide coverage of the causative pathogen. Conversely, with high rates of appropriate initial antibiotic therapy, infections caused by multiresistant Gram-negative pathogens do not negatively influence patient outcomes or costs. Taken together, these observations underscore the importance of a 'hit hard and hit fast' approach to treating serious nosocomial infections, particularly when it is suspected that multiresistant pathogens are responsible. They also point to the need for a multidisciplinary effort to combat resistance, which should include improved antimicrobial stewardship, increased resources for infection control, and development of new antimicrobial agents with activity against multiresistant Gram-negative pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University School of Medicine, 8240 Nabb Road #300, Indianapolis, Indiana 46260, USA. slamaidi@aol.com
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Slama
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents