Cefpodoxime-Proxetil versus Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole for Short-Term Therapy of Uncomplicated Acute Cystitis in Women

One hundred sixty-three women with uncomplicated acute lower urinary tract infections were included in a multicenter randomized study comparing cefpodoxime-proxetil (one 100-mg tablet twice daily) with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (one double-strength tablet [160/800 mg] twice daily) for 3 days. A total of 30 women in both arms were excluded from the study for various reasons. At 4 to 7 days after the discontinuation of therapy, 62 of 63 (98.4%) cefpodoxime-proxetil recipients and 70 of 70 (100%) trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole patients were clinically cured and demonstrated bacteriological eradication, respectively. At 28 days after treatment, 48 of 55 (87.3%) and 43 of 50 (86%) cefpodoxime-proxetil recipients as well as 51 of 60 (85%) and 42 of 50 (84%) trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole recipients were clinically cured and demonstrated bacteriological eradication, respectively. Independently of the prescribed regimen, a significant difference (P < 0.001) in failure rates was observed only for patients with a previous history of three or more episodes of acute cystitis per year. With the exception of one patient in the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole arm who discontinued therapy because of gastrointestinal pain, both antimicrobials were well tolerated. In conclusion, cefpodoxime-proxetil treatment for 3 days was as safe and effective as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for 3 days for the treatment of uncomplicated acute cystitis in women

Impact of a hospital-wide antibiotic restriction policy program on the resistance rates of nosocomial Gram-negative bacteria

Background: To evaluate the impact of an antibiotic restriction policy on antibiotic consumption and Gram-negative resistance rates, in an environment of antibiotic overconsumption and increasing resistance rates for nosocomial pathogens. Methods: The study was a ‘before and after’ trial of 18-month duration; the antibiotic restriction policy program was implemented in 1998-2000 and was based on a government program addressed by the Ministry of Health to public hospitals on a national basis. This included prescribing of all newer antibiotics on an order form, auditing of the order forms and consultation with infectious diseases (ID) specialists, dispensing of treatment and prophylaxis guidelines, feedback, and face-to-face education. Antibiotic consumption and Gram-negative resistance rates were recorded before and after the intervention. Results: Despite the addition of a new 40-bed ID department in the hospital during the ‘after’ period, the consumption of restricted antibiotics was significantly reduced by 42% (and their cost by 31%). Gram-negative resistance rates for Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter, serving as index microorganisms for Gram-negative nosocomial pathogens, were significantly reduced during the ‘after’ period, even against antibiotics for which there was an increase in consumption. Conclusions: Multidisciplinary restriction programs can reduce antibiotic consumption and Gram-negative resistance rates in the hospital setting

Using clinical research networks to assess severity of an emerging influenza pandemic

BACKGROUND: Early clinical severity assessments during the 2009 influenza A H1N1 pandemic (pH1N1) overestimated clinical severity due to selection bias and other factors. We retrospectively investigated how to use data from the International Network for Strategic Initiatives in Global HIV Trials, a global clinical influenza research network, to make more accurate case fatality ratio (CFR) estimates early in a future pandemic, an essential part of pandemic response. METHODS: We estimated the CFR of medically attended influenza (CFRMA) as the product of probability of hospitalization given confirmed outpatient influenza and the probability of death given hospitalization with confirmed influenza for the pandemic (2009-2011) and post-pandemic (2012-2015) periods. We used literature survey results on health-seeking behavior to convert that estimate to CFR among all infected persons (CFRAR). RESULTS: During the pandemic period, 5.0% (3.1%-6.9%) of 561 pH1N1-positive outpatients were hospitalized. Of 282 pH1N1-positive inpatients, 8.5% (5.7%-12.6%) died. CFRMA for pH1N1 was 0.4% (0.2%-0.6%) in the pandemic period 2009-2011 but declined 5-fold in young adults during the post-pandemic period compared to the level of seasonal influenza in the post-pandemic period 2012-2015. CFR for influenza-negative patients did not change over time. We estimated the 2009 pandemic CFRAR to be 0.025%, 16-fold lower than CFRMA. CONCLUSIONS: Data from a clinical research network yielded accurate pandemic severity estimates, including increased severity among younger people. Going forward, clinical research networks with a global presence and standardized protocols would substantially aid rapid assessment of clinical severity