Host factors influencing the response to antimicrobial agents

When the desired clinical response to an antibiotic therapeutic regimen is not achieved, despite appropriate antibiotic selection and organism sensitivity, the clinician must be aware that several host factors exist that may influence the outcome. Examples of the influence of host-related factors on drug disposition have been briefly reviewed in this article. It should be noted, however, that further investigation is needed to determine whether these factors truly exert a significant influence on the outcome of antibiotic utilization.