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Antimicrobial activity of seven oral antibiotics against selected community- and hospital-acquired pathogens
1Washington University School of Medicine, Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.
Abstract:
The in vitro activity of seven oral antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, cephalexin, cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefuroxime, cefixime, and amoxicillin/clavulanate) was tested against 355 hospital-acquired pathogens and 342 community-acquired organisms. Whereas Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the most common pathogens isolated in community-acquired infections, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas were isolated most frequently in hospital-acquired infections. All antibiotics with the exception of cefixime were active against the methicillin-susceptible staphylococci. Ciprofloxacin was the most active antibiotic against the members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas. The community-acquired organisms tended to be more susceptible to antibiotics than the hospital-acquired organisms. Thus selection of oral antibiotics for the management of patients with hospital-acquired infections should be based on knowledge of the susceptibility patterns of hospital isolates.
Insights
Oral antibiotics showed varying effectiveness against common bacteria. Ciprofloxacin was most effective against Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas, highlighting the need for targeted antibiotic selection based on infection source.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and community-acquired infections (CAIs) are significant clinical challenges.
- Common pathogens differ between HAIs (Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas) and CAIs (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro activity of seven oral antibiotics against a spectrum of hospital-acquired and community-acquired pathogens.
- To inform optimal oral antibiotic selection for treating infections based on pathogen susceptibility patterns.
Main Methods:
- In vitro susceptibility testing of seven oral antibiotics: ciprofloxacin, cephalexin, cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefuroxime, cefixime, and amoxicillin/clavulanate.
- Testing was performed against 355 hospital-acquired pathogens and 342 community-acquired organisms.
Main Results:
- Ciprofloxacin demonstrated the highest activity against Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas.
- Most tested antibiotics, except cefixime, were active against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus.
- Community-acquired organisms generally exhibited higher susceptibility to antibiotics compared to hospital-acquired organisms.
Conclusions:
- Antibiotic susceptibility patterns vary significantly between hospital-acquired and community-acquired pathogens.
- Tailoring oral antibiotic choice to local susceptibility data is crucial for effective management of hospital-acquired infections.