Beta-lactam antibiotics form the backbone of treatment for Gram-negative pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit. However, this beta-lactam antibiotic backbone is increasingly under pressure from emerging resistance across all geographical regions, and health-care professionals in many countries are rapidly running out of effective treatment options. Even in reg...

OBJECTIVES The cost-effectiveness of systemic isotretinoin therapy in the treatment of moderate to severe acne was assessed in a comparative cost-minimisation analysis. Systemic isotretinoin at the recommended daily dose of 1 mg/kg (cumulative dose of 120 mg/kg) was compared with: (i) oral antibiotics taken as chronic medication; (ii) a combination of chronic oral antibiotics and anti-androgen ...

BACKGROUND Infection of burn wounds is a serious problem because it can delay healing, increase scarring and invasive infection may result in the death of the patient. Antibiotic prophylaxis is one of several interventions that may prevent burn wound infection and protect the burned patient from invasive infections. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of antibiotic prophylaxis on rates of burn w...

Periodontitis is characterized by a general inflammation of the tooth-supporting tissues, which leads to apical migration of the junctional epithelium along the root surface and progressive destruction of the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone. Although the bacteria present within the subgingival dental biofilm constitute the primary etiologic agents of periodontitis, the host"s immune ...

Acute sore throat is a common presentation in primary care settings. We aimed to improve our compliance with national antibiotic guidelines for sore throat symptoms to 90% in 3 months' time period. The national guidelines are based on Centor criteria. A retrospective audit of 102 patient records with sore throat symptoms presenting between 1 January to 30 December 2015 showed that over 50% were...

Despite systemic prophylaxis, infection rates after orthopedic surgery can reach more than 1%. A new HAP/TCP bone substitute loaded with 125 mg of gentamicin was designed for prophylactic use. Its aim was to enhance the efficacy of systemic prophylactic treatments by increasing the local antibiotic concentration. The release rate of gentamicin from the bone substitute was investigated after imp...

INTRODUCTION The current mainstream practice in otolaryngology departments relating to the use of prophylactic antibiotics in epistaxis patients requiring nasal packing is highly variable. This is due primarily to the lack of any validated guidelines. As such, we introduced a new treatment algorithm resulting in significant reduction of use in the systemic antibiotics, with emphasis instead on ...

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) are associated with considerable morbidity, mortality and economic costs. In most cases, catheter removal is considered an essential component of managing CLABSI. However, in patients with poor access, catheter salvage may have to be attempted rather than removal and replacement of catheters. Anti-infective lock therapy (ALT) - instilling ...

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to investigate the in vivo efficacy of local and systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in the prevention of Staphylococcus (S.) epidermidis graft infection in a rat model and to evaluate the bacterial adherence to frequently used prosthetic graft materials. METHODS Graft infections were established in the subcutaneous tissue of 120 male Wistar rats by implantatio...