Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Antimicrobial Synergy Testing by the Inkjet Printer-assisted Automated Checkerboard Array and the Manual Time-kill Method
12:03

Antimicrobial Synergy Testing by the Inkjet Printer-assisted Automated Checkerboard Array and the Manual Time-kill Method

Published on: April 18, 2019

[Antimicrobial treatment of polymicrobial infections]

Milorad Pavlović1, Jelena Nikolić

  • 1Klinika za infektivne i tropske bolesti, Klinicki centar Srbije, Beograd, Koste Todorovića.

Medicinski Pregled
|March 29, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Polymicrobial infections involve multiple microbes and require targeted antimicrobial therapy. Effective treatment also necessitates a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, often including surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Context:

  • Polymicrobial infections, involving two or more microorganisms at a single site, are prevalent in various clinical settings, including orofacial, gastrointestinal, pelvic, and skin infections.
  • These infections pose significant therapeutic challenges due to the complexity of causative agents and potential for antimicrobial resistance.

Purpose:

  • To outline key considerations for selecting antimicrobial therapy in polymicrobial infections.
  • To highlight the importance of monitoring the sensitivity of key pathogens, such as Bacteroides fragilis, to commonly used antibiotics.

Summary:

  • Therapeutic choices for polymicrobial infections depend on identifying causative agents and understanding regional microbial prevalence.
  • Bacteroides fragilis, a common anaerobic pathogen, remains sensitive to metronidazole, carbapenems, aminopenicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitors, tigecycline, and fluoroquinolones.

Impact:

  • Antimicrobial therapy is a crucial component but not the sole solution for polymicrobial infections.
  • A multidisciplinary treatment strategy, frequently incorporating surgical intervention, is essential for optimal patient outcomes.

More Related Videos

Development of a Polymicrobial Colony Biofilm Model to Test Antimicrobials in Cystic Fibrosis07:16

Development of a Polymicrobial Colony Biofilm Model to Test Antimicrobials in Cystic Fibrosis

Published on: September 20, 2024

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses11:17

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses

Published on: August 30, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism01:27

Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism

Synergism is a useful mechanism where combining two or more drugs is more effective than each constituent used alone. Such combinations are also called supra-additive interactions. The drugs collectively enhance the final therapeutic effect by acting on different targets. Another advantage is that the low dose of each constituent drug is sufficient to achieve the desired effect. This helps reduce the duration of therapy and lower the adverse effects of these drugs.
Such synergistic combinations...
Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy01:16

Treating Helicobacter pylori in Peptic Ulcers: Antimicrobial Therapy

Helicobacter pylori, a resilient gram-negative bacterium, can thrive in the stomach's harsh, acidic environment. Infection with H. pylori leads to a cascade of events within the stomach lining. One of the critical disruptions caused by this bacterium is the interference with somatostatin production, a hormone responsible for regulating acid secretion. This interference tips the balance, escalating acid secretion and diminishing bicarbonate levels. This imbalance compromises the defensive...
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Pneumonia IV: Management01:28

Pneumonia IV: Management

The treatment of pneumonia varies based on its severity and the causative pathogen. Here is a structured approach to managing pneumonia, integrating pharmaceutical and supportive care strategies.
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:30

Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

A healthcare provider can diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) through several methods:Medical History and Symptoms: The provider will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.Urinalysis: A clean-catch urine sample is collected in a sterile container and tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, blood, and protein. The presence of leukocytes and...
Antimicrobial Effectiveness01:28

Antimicrobial Effectiveness

The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...