title: Use of intravenous co-trimoxazole to treat bacterial infection: analysis of 50 treatment episodes.
abstract: Co-trimoxazole is infrequently prescribed in the UK due to concerns regarding adverse events. However, it has a low association with Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) and may represent an alternative to higher-risk agents. This retrospective study examines the efficacy and safety of intravenous co-trimoxazole in treatment of bacterial infection in a UK inpatient population of 50 inpatients. Outcome was determined to be successful in 58% of treatment episodes; in hospital-acquired pneumonia the response rate was 52%. Two treatment episodes were terminated due to adverse events: these resolved on discontinuation of co-trimoxazole. No significant change in renal function, evaluated by serum creatinine, was observed during therapy; blood platelet count was not affected by treatment with intravenous co-trimoxazole. One patient developed CDAD within one month of cessation of therapy. Intravenous co-trimoxazole was clinically effective with a low rate of adverse events and may represent a useful alternative antimicrobial agent in UK institutions with high rates of CDAD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK. Edward.Barton@UHBristol.nhs.uk
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Macgowan
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination