Aztreonam in treatment of intra-abdominal infections

Aztreonam is a monobactam antibiotic with a broad antimicrobial spectrum against Gram-negative facultative bacteria. It possesses many of the characteristics of antibiotics that are useful for the treatment of intra-abdominal infections. While this drug is effective against the Gram-negative enteric bacilli usually encountered in intra-abdominal infections, it is not practical as a single agent since anaerobic bacteria are not susceptible to aztreonam. The use of aztreonam avoids the nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity associated with aminoglycoside antibiotics. Its pharmacokinetic parameters allow administration 3 or 4 times daily, and it is less expensive than many alternative agents. Studies comparing aztreonam to tobramycin in patients who also received clindamycin for acute appendicitis note similar rates of success in both antibiotic treatment groups.