Antimicrobial therapy of Pseudomonas pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis. A prospective evaluation of netilmicin plus azlocillin versus netilmicin plus ticarcillin.
Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
prospective controlled evaluation
Participants
42 exacerbations. The two therapy groups were comparable in all aspects
Interventions
two weeks with netilmicin combined by randomisation with either azlocillin or ticarcillin.
Outcome measures
clinical, radiological, laboratory, bacteriological and pulmonary function measurements.
Main results
Both regimens produced similar improvements in clinical, radiological, laboratory, bacteriological and pulmonary function measurements. Concentrations of sputum bacteria were significantly reduced; transient eradication was documented in 29% and correlated with antibiotic susceptibility of the initially isolated Pseudomonas strains. The highly dosed antibiotics were well tolerated and emergence of resistance was rarely observed
Authors' conclusions
both antibiotic combinations are beneficial and safe in cystic fibrosis. Monitoring of such intensive hospital treatment must include multiple parameters.