[A multicenter clinical trial of piperacillin/tazobactam in burn infection]
Weishi Xu1, Shilin Deng, Chunmao Han
1Burn Institute, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200025, P. R. China.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy of piperacillin/tazobactam in the management of burn infection.
Methods:
Sixty-three burn patients were enrolled in the study with burn sepsis or burn area more than 50%TBSA or full skin loss more than 30% TBSA. The administration regime of the antibiotics was 4.5 g intravenously administered every 8 hours in the treatment of burn sepsis or in the prophylactic management. The effectiveness was identified when the septic symptoms disappeared or focal infection did not develop into sepsis.
Results:
The overall clinical efficacy was 90.4%, and success in sepsis (control) was 75%. Furthermore, 95.7% of the focal infection was prevented from developing into systemic infection. The bacterial clearance rates were 71.4% and 51.4% in treatment and prophylaxis groups, respectively.
Conclusion:
Piperacillin/taxobactam was effective in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of burn sepsis caused by bacteria susceptible to it, so it could be applied empirically.
Insights
Piperacillin/tazobactam effectively managed burn infections, showing high efficacy in treating sepsis and preventing infections from worsening. This antibiotic is a viable empirical treatment option for susceptible bacterial infections in burn patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Burn Care
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Burn injuries present a high risk of infection, including sepsis.
- Effective antibiotic management is crucial for improving outcomes in burn patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical efficacy of piperacillin/tazobactam in managing burn infections.
- To evaluate its role in both treatment and prophylaxis of burn sepsis.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 63 burn patients with severe conditions (burn sepsis, large TBSA involvement).
- Piperacillin/tazobactam administered intravenously at 4.5g every 8 hours.
- Efficacy defined by resolution of septic symptoms or prevention of focal infection progression.
Main Results:
- Overall clinical efficacy reached 90.4%.
- Successful sepsis control was observed in 75% of cases.
- 95.7% of focal infections were prevented from becoming systemic; bacterial clearance rates were 71.4% (treatment) and 51.4% (prophylaxis).
Conclusions:
- Piperacillin/tazobactam demonstrates significant effectiveness in treating and preventing burn sepsis.
- The antibiotic can be considered for empirical use in burn patients with susceptible bacterial infections.
