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Content Update
December 29, 2019
2019 CDC Antibiotic-Resistance Threats Report: In November 2019 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an updated report on antibiotic resistance threats, last published in 2013. The report includes the latest national infection and death estimates, including 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occurring in the U.S. each year and over 35,000 deaths. The report also notes 223,900 cases of Clostridiodes difficile in 2017 with at least 12,800 deaths. The report provides data on 18 antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi in three categories based on level of concern to human health – urgent, serious, and concerning. The report serves as a reference for information on antibiotic resistance and provides the latest estimates on antibiotic resistance burden.
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Content Update
Sept. 13, 2018
Updated Recommendation for Doxycycline Use in Children: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all tetracycline products to carry a warning that drugs in this class may cause permanent discoloration of teeth when used in children up to the age of eight years and that tetracycline drugs should not be used during tooth development unless other drugs are not likely to be effective or are contraindicated. However, based on evidence that doxycycline causes minimal enamel hypoplasia and staining of developing teeth in children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently updated its recommendation to state that doxycycline can now be used in children of all ages for a duration of 21 days or less.
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Content Update
Jully 3, 2018
Risk of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile Infection with Documented Penicillin Allergy: Many patients are labelled as penicillin allergic but do not have true immediate penicillin hypersensitivity. This can lead to unnecessary administration of broad-spectrum antimicrobials, which can promote emergence of antimicrobial resistance (eg, MRSA) and development of healthcare-associated infections such as C. difficile. A recent report demonstrated that patients with documented penicillin allergy have a higher risk of infections with MRSA and C. difficile. The report supports the principle of using the most narrow spectrum antimicrobial that is effective to treat an infection, and that unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials increases the risk of bacterial resistance and emergence of superinfections. When penicillin allergy is suspected, efforts should be made to determine if the patient experienced an immediate hypersensitivity reaction.
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CHAPTER SUMMARY FROM THE PHARMACOTHERAPY HANDBOOK
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For the chapter in the Wells Handbook, please go to Chapter 35. Antimicrobial Regimen Selection.
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KEY CONCEPTS
Every attempt should be made to obtain specimens for culture and sensitivity testing prior to initiating antibiotics.
Empirical antibiotic therapy should be based on knowledge of likely pathogens for the site of infection, information from patient history (eg, recent hospitalizations, work-related exposure, travel, and pets), and local susceptibility.
Patients with delayed dermatologic reactions (ie, rash) to penicillin generally can receive ...