Monotherapy versus combination antibiotic therapy for patients with bacteremic Streptococcus pneumoniae community-acquired pneumonia.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of antimicrobial monotherapy vs combination therapy on length of stay and mortality for patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia. Thirty-nine percent of patients received monotherapy, while 61% received combination therapy. Although there was no significant difference in mortality (OR 1.25, 95% CI = 0.25-6.8), there was a significant increase in length of stay for patients who received combination therapy (p = 0.02). Patients with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia treated with empiric combination therapy had no significant difference in mortality; however, they did have increased length of stay after adjusting for severity of illness. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine what is the optimal empiric antimicrobial regime for patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

• Authors: R Chokshi, M I Restrepo, N Weeratunge, C R Frei, A Anzueto, E M Mortensen
• Journal: European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology (Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis) Vol. 26 Issue 7 Pg. 447-51 (Jul 2007) ISSN: 0934-9723 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 17534677 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Bacteremia (drug therapy, etiology)
• Community-Acquired Infections (complications, drug therapy, mortality)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Hospitals, University
• Humans
• Length of Stay
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pneumonia, Pneumococcal (drug therapy, mortality)
• Retrospective Studies
• Severity of Illness Index
• Texas (epidemiology)
• Treatment Outcome