Significant publications on infectious diseases pharmacotherapy in 2013

The most important articles on infectious diseases (ID) pharmacotherapy published in the peer-reviewed literature in 2013, as nominated and selected by panels of pharmacists and others with ID expertise, are summarized.

Members of the Houston Infectious Diseases Network were asked to nominate articles published last year in prominent biomedical journals that had a major impact in the field of ID pharmacotherapy. A list of 27 nominated articles on ID-related topics in general and 26 articles specifically focused on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was compiled. In a national online survey conducted in January 2014, members of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) were asked to select from the list those articles that they felt had made the greatest contributions to the field of ID pharmacotherapy. Of 168 SIDP members surveyed, 108 (64%) and 53 (32%) participated in the selection of ID- and HIV/AIDS-related articles, respectively. Summaries of the top-ranked articles in both categories are presented.

Major topics explored in the top-ranked ID articles of 2013 include the use of cefepime for gram-negative infections due to AmpC or extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, optimizing antibiotic therapy through the use of extended- or continuous-infusion regimens, the use of the oral integrase inhibitor dolutegravir to combat HIV disease, and new approaches to treatment of Clostridium difficile infection and enterococcal endocarditis.