Making antibiotic choices: formula derivation and usage in the rational selection of antibiotics in the empirical treatment of infections
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Pharmacotherapy Group, University of Benin, Benin City
Abstract
Purpose: To develop mathematical formulae to aid the selection of antibiotics most appropriate in the
empirical treatment of infections.
Methods: Formulae quantifying the characteristics of antibiotics with regard to their cost and activity
against associated bacterial isolates of given infections were derived from probability laws. Data from
records of culture sensitivity test results were compiled and analysed to ascertain bacterial pathogen
associations with infections and their sensitivities to prescribed antibiotics. Applicability of derived
formulae was demonstrated in the rational selection of antibiotics most appropriate in the empirical
treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in selected hospitals in Lesotho.
Results: Escherichia. coli, followed by Klebsiella spp, Proteus spp, non-haemolytic Streptococci,
Streptococcus pyogenes and then, Pseudomonas spp were identified as the most common
uropathogens at the hospitals studied. Two mathematical formulae were derived and used in
quantifying activity and cost characteristics of prescribed antibiotics. Cefotaxime, followed by
ciprofloxacin - were considered most appropriate for use in treating UTIs empirically among inpatients of
the hospitals.
Conclusion: Quantifying and using procedurally antibacterial activities and cost characteristics of
antibiotics provides a suitable means of making antibiotic choices in the empirical treatment of
infections
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Citation
Adorka, M. et al. 2013. Making antibiotic choices: formula derivation and usage in the rational selection of antibiotics in the empirical treatment of infections. Tropical journal of pharmaceutical research, 12(6):1029-1034. [http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v12i6.24]