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Empiric therapy for bacterial infections: the historical perspective
Reviews of Infectious Diseases
|March 1, 1983
Summary
Empiric therapy, using broad-spectrum antibiotics like beta-lactams, has evolved significantly. This evolution has reduced mortality and complications for many infectious diseases over the past 50 years.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
- Medical History
Background:
- Defines 'empiric' therapy in medicine.
- Discusses the selection of beta-lactam antibiotics for empiric use.
- Highlights the historical context of empiric treatment strategies.
Observation:
- Analyzes changes in empiric therapy over the last 50 years.
- Examines treatment approaches for specific infections.
- Compares the impact of therapeutic shifts across various diseases.
Findings:
- Minor changes in empiric therapy for some infections.
- Significant improvements for other infections, including reduced mortality.
- Shortened disease duration and decreased complication rates observed.
Implications:
- Demonstrates the impact of evolving empiric treatment on patient outcomes.
- Underscores the importance of antibiotic selection in managing infectious diseases.
- Provides a historical perspective on advancements in treating conditions like pneumonia and meningitis.