Aztreonam in the treatment of serious gram-negative XXXX in the elderly.

@entity1 @entity8 @entity295 @entity868 @entity298 @entity281 @entity325 @entity1011 @entity5646 @entity293 @entity3402
The efficacy and safety of aztreonam in the treatment of serious gam-negative @entity281 were investigated in 20 @entity1 , 19 of whom were more than 60 years old. There were 13 cases of @entity293 , 6 of @entity295 and one of @entity298 . Half the @entity1 were in a critical clinical condition with significant severe underlying disease. Aztreonam was given i.v. or i.m. in doses ranging from 1.5 to 4 g/day according to the severity of the @entity281 . The duration of treatment ranged from 7 to 20 days. In 5 @entity1 with @entity325 due to gram-positive and anaerobic organisms in addition to gram-negative pathogens, @entity5646 was given in combination with @entity3402 and @entity868 as appropriate. Clinical and bacteriological cures were observed in all 20 @entity1 . There were two cases of reinfection and 3 of superinfection--all occurred in @entity1 with severe underlying disease. Untoward effects were few and of minor severity. @entity1011 clearance remained stable or improved during aztreonam treatment, even in @entity1 with significant @entity8 . In conclusion, aztreonam was shown to be both effective and safe in the treatment of serious gram-negative @entity281 in elderly @entity1 --even those with @entity8 . In such indications aztreonam appears to be a good alternative to potentially toxic drugs such as the aminoglycosides.
