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Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18e
| Part 8. Infectious Diseases > Section 4. Approach to Therapy for Bacterial Diseases > |
Chapter 133. Treatment and Prophylaxis of Bacterial Infections
Sections: Treatment and Prophylaxis of Bacterial Infections: Introduction, Mechanisms of Action, Mechanisms of Resistance, Pharmacokinetics of Antibiotics, Principles of Antibacterial Chemotherapy, Choice of Antibacterial Therapy, Adverse Reactions, Drug Interactions, Prophylaxis of Bacterial Infections, Duration of Therapy and Treatment Failure, Strategies to Optimize Antimicrobial Use, Further Readings.
Topics Discussed: bacterial infection; bacteriology; pharmacotherapy of infectious diseases; therapy of microbial diseases; bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal infections.
Excerpt:"The development of vaccines and drugs that prevent and cure bacterial infections was one of the twentieth century's major contributions to human longevity and quality of life. Antibacterial agents are among the most commonly prescribed drugs of any kind worldwide. Used appropriately, these drugs are lifesaving. However, their indiscriminate use drives up the cost of health care, leads to a plethora of side effects and drug interactions, and fosters the emergence of bacterial resistance, rendering previously valuable drugs useless. The rational use of antibacterial agents depends on an understanding of (1) the drugs' mechanisms of action, spectra of activity, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, toxicities, and interactions; (2) mechanisms underlying bacterial resistance; and (3) strategies that can be used by clinicians to limit resistance. In addition, patient-associated parameters, such as infection site, other drugs being taken, allergies, and immune and excretory status, are critically important to appropriate therapeutic decisions. This chapter provides specific data required for making an informed choice of antibacterial agent...."
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