Shorter antibiotic courses in the immunocompromised: the impossible dream?

Imlay, H; Laundy, NC; Forrest, GN; Slavin, MA

Author(s): Imlay, H; Laundy, NC; Forrest, GN; Slavin, MA;
Details: Publication Year 2023-02,Volume 29,Issue #2,Page 143-149
Journal Title: Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Publication Type: Review
Abstract: BACKGROUND: A growing number of studies have demonstrated similar outcomes with shorter courses of antibiotics for bacterial infections. Immunocompromised patients are frequently excluded from these studies despite anticipated benefits associated with shortening antibiotic courses (including lower risks of antibiotic toxicity, Clostridioides difficile infection, drug-resistant pathogens, and microbiome alterations). OBJECTIVES: To critically review the literature that assesses shorter antibiotic courses in immunocompromised patients, specifically among solid organ transplant recipients and neutropenic fever (NF) syndromes among patients on antineoplastic chemotherapy and undergoing haematopoietic cell transplant. SOURCES: References were identified through searches of PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, and clinical guidelines documents. CONTENT: Among organ transplant recipients, the majority of studies assessing outcomes associated with shorter antibiotic courses have been retrospective but have demonstrated similar rates of clinically relevant endpoints. Patients with high- and low-risk NF have been well-studied, including enrolment in randomized studies, albeit with heterogeneous patient populations and outcomes assessed. Clinical improvement-guided adoption of shorter courses has been associated with fewer antibiotic days and similar rates of fever recurrence and mortality. IMPLICATIONS: Similar to studies demonstrating efficacy in immunocompetent patients, shorter antibiotic courses should be considered for immunocompromised hosts with presumed bacterial infections. Organ recipients and patients with NF syndromes should be prioritized for study in randomized controlled clinical trials assessing shorter course therapy.
Publisher: Elsevier
Keywords: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use; *Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Retrospective Studies; *Neoplasms/complications/drug therapy; *Bacterial Infections/complications; Immunocompromised Host; Antimicrobial stewardship; Febrile neutropenia; Infection short-course therapy; Solid organ transplantation; Stem cell transplantation
Department(s): Infectious Diseases
PubMed ID: 35988852
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2022.08.007
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2023-05-30 07:27:50

Last Modified: 2023-05-30 07:28:52