Chapter 5: Infections Flashcards
What is antibiotic stewardship?
Organisational or healthcare system wide approach to promoting and monitoring judicious use of antimicrobials to persevere their future effectiveness.
What is the difference between antibiotic and antimicrobial resistance?
Antibiotics resistance: resistance to ABX that occurs in common bacteria that cause infections.
Antimicrobial resistance: broaden term including resistance to drugs to treat infections caused by other microbes including parasites (e.g. malaria), viruses (e.g. HIV) and fungi (eg candida), Protozoa
What is antimicrobial resistance?
The ability of microorganisms to become increasingly resistance to a antimicrobial agent to which they were previous susceptible.
AMR is a consequence of genetic mutation and natural selection.
Such mutation is then passed on conferring resistance.
AMR cannot be eradicated but managed to limit their impact on health
What are the main causes of AMR?
Availability of antibacterials without a Rx in some countries.
Patient demand for antibacterials for inappropriate infection.
Failure of patients to complete their prescribed course of antibacterials.
Overuse and misuse of antibacterials in humans, animals and agriculture.
How can pharmacist help with AMR?
- Improving infection prevention control.
- Making sure the right antibacterial is given for the right clinical indication, at the right dose, right time, right direction, right route and duration.
- when there is clinical uncertainty about a condition, back up or delayed prescribing can be used to offer an alternative to immediate prescribing.
- by checking that antibiotics and other antimicrobials are prescribed when needed, comply with local guidance and query if not so.
- don’t prescribe for self limiting conditions.
- give patient clear advice including the duration, frequency, dose, potential SEs and return unused antibacterials to the pharmacy.
- by providing information on self limiting infections, use PILs to explain duration and how to treat the symptoms.
List self limiting conditions?
Common cold Acute otitis media Acute cough Acute bronchitis Acute sore throat Acute pharyngitis Acute tonsillitis Acute rhionsinuitis
What should be considered before treating antibiotics?
- Avoid blind therapy
- Take samples for culture and sensitivity testing
- Use narrow spectrum abx when possible
- Avoid prolonged use of abx: can lead to SEs, encourage resistance and are costly.
- Limit telephone prescribing to exceptional cases
- always check for allergies
- for immunocompromised patient: start treatment immediately.
What is superinfection?
- An infection caused by an infection.
- Broad spec antibacterials are more likely to cause side effect, eg.g Abx associated colitis, fungal infections and vaginitis, pruritus ani (itchy bum)
When should a Doctor notify the proper officer of suspected cases of notifiable diseases?
- Complete and send notification form and send within 3 days
- Verbal notification (phone, letter, e-mail, secure fax): within 24 hours for urgent cases
List examples of notifiable diseases?
Food poisoning Infectious bloody diarrhoea TB Plague Meningococcal septicaemia Scarlet fever Smallpox Whooping cough (pertussis) Meningitis Acute encephalitis
What is the difference between sepsis and septicaemia?
Sepsis: infection of the whole body
Septicaemia: blood infection
How soon should treatment for sepsis be started and monitored?
- ASAP, ideally within 1 hour
- monitor every 30 mins
What are the 6 main signs and symptoms of sepsis?
- Higher RR (normal: 12-20 breaths per min)
- Higher or low HR (normal: 60-100 bpm)
- Lower O2 stats (normal: 95-100%)
- Systolic BP < or = to 90mmHg if age 12 and above
- Higher or lower Temperature (normal 36.1-37.2 degrees)
- Reduced Consciousness/confusion
What are the additional signs and symptoms of sepsis?
- Lactate levels 2mmol/L or above
- Non blanching, mottled/ashen or cyanotic skin rash (like meningitis)
- Not passed urine/dehydration
- Infection, fever, cold and shivers
What additional signs and symptoms are seen in children and babies in sepsis?
Feel abnormally cold to touch Has a fit or convulsion No wet nappies for 12 hours or more No interest in feeding Soft spot on baby’s head is bulging Weak whining or continuous crying
What is sepsis 6?
It’s the recommendations for the early management of sepsis.
- 3 tests:
1. blood cultures immediately before treatment
2. Blood sample to assess severity
3. Monitor urine output to assess kidney damage (AKI)
3 Treatments:
- IV broad spec abx (within 1 hour of admission)
- IV fluids (within 1 hour of admission)
- O2 to counteract lactate if needed to keep stats over 94%
(Give vasopressors and inotropes e.g. DA and adrenaline to improve BP if needed)
What future tests can be conducted in sepsis?
FBC: WBC, C reactive protein, lactate Clotting factors, D- dimer (linked to blood clots) Chest x-ray Urine analysis CT scan (meningitis)
What are the risk factors of sepsis?
Very young and old
Immunocompromised patients (HIV, cancer, patients on steroids and diabetics, and transplant patients)
Pregnancy
IV drug misusers
What is given for rheumatic fever prevention?
Pen(V)
Or Sulfadiazine
What is given for pertussis prophylaxis?
CLARITHYROMYCIN ‘ACE’
What is given for pneumococcal infection in aslpenia or in patients with sickle cell disease prophylaxis?
Pen v adult: 250mg BD
If pen allergic: erythromycin
What is given for ANIMAL and human bites prophylaxis?
Co-amoxiclav alone (375-625mg TDS) up to 5-7 days
Pen allergic: (doxycycline 100mg BD+ metronidazole 400mg TDS)
What is given for community and hospital acquired septicaemia?
A broad spec antipseudomonal penicillin:
1. Piperacillin/tazobactam
Or broad spec cephalosporin e.g. cefuroxime
(Hospital alternative: meropenem or cilstatin and imipenem)
MRSA suspected: add vancomycin or teicoplanin
If anaerobic suspected: add metronidazole to broad spec cephalosporin.
What is given for meningococcal septicaemia ?
Single dose of IV Pen G. Give before urgent admission to hospital.
Pen allergy alternative: IV Cefuotaxime
If hypersensitivity to pen and cephalosporins: IV Chloramphenicol
What is given for initial blind treatment of endocarditis (HEART)?
Amoxicillin or ampicillin (consider adding low dose gentamicin)
-If MRSA or severe sepsis suspected give vancomycin + low dose gentamicin
What is given for endocarditis caused by staphlococci (HEART)?
Flucloxacillin
If pen allergic or MRSA suspected give vancomycin and rifampicin
4 week treatment
What is the of meningitis caused meningococci?
-If meningococcal suspected: Pen G should be given before hospital transfer if possible.
-Pen allergy: cefotaxime
7 days treatment
- If history of hypersensitivity to pen and cephalosporins: Chloramphenicol
- 7 days treatment
What is given for meningitis caused by pneumococci?
Cefotaxime (or ceftiaxone)
Consider adjunct treatment with dexamethasone, starting within 12 hours after starting antibacterial.
Duration of 14 days treatment
What organisms causes otitis externa?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa or staphyl aureus
What is given for otitis externa? (OTC and Rx)
1st line: localised heat, and analgesics
2nd line: acetic acid 2% EarCalm (7 days, 1 Spray TDS)
If spreading cellulitis or disease extended beyond ear canal:
- Flucloxacillin (250-500mg qds) 7 days
- If pen allergic: ACE
-If pseudonomas suspected:
Ciprofloxacin or an aminoglycoside
What is given for acute otitis media?
Regular paracetamol/ibuprofen
If not improvement after 72 hours or if systemically very unwell or high risk of complications:
Amoxicillin 500mg TDS 5-7 days
Alternative co-amoxiclav
If pen allergic give Macrolides (Clarithromycin or Erythromycin )
What is given for gastroenteritis?
Self limiting, therefore no treatment neccesary
What is Clostridium difficult infection and which antibiotic has the greater risk?
An infection caused by colonisation of the colon with C.Difficile and production of toxin.
-Ampicillin, amoxicillin, co-amoxiclav, 2nd and 3rd gen cephalosporin, clindamycin and quiniolone all have GREATER RISK
What is given for first episode of mild to moderate C diff infection?
Oral metronidazole 400mg TDS 10-14 days
What is given for 2nd/subsequent episode OR for severe infection of C Diff?
Oral vancomycin 125mg QDS for 10-14 days
Alternative is fidaxomicin
What is given for H pylori infection (FIRST LINE)?
PPI
+ clarithromycin 500mg BD (strength halved if given with metronidazole)
+ amoxicillin 1000mg BD OR metronidazole 400mg BD
for 7 days
What is given for H pylori infection in Pen allergy or used clarithromycin already within year?
Pen allergy:
PPI
+clarithromycin 250mg BD
+metronidazole 400mg BD
Clarithromycin used already: PPI \+Bismuth subsalicylate \+Metronidazole 400mg BD \+Tetracycline 500mg QDS
What is given for infectious diarrhoea (campylobacter enteritis)?
A.K.A food poisoning
Frequently self limiting
However, if systemically unwell(severe infection) or immunocompromised, give:
ACE
Alternative: ciprofloxacin
What is given in salmonella?
ONLY treat if patient is systemically unwell (severe infection), immunocompromised patient, or <6months old
Give ciprofloxacin
What is given in bacterial vaginosis?
Oral metronidazole 400-500mg BD for 5-7days
OR single 2g dose
Alternative: topical metronidazole 5days or topical clindamycin 7days
What is given for uncomplicated genital chlamydia and non-specific genital infection?
Azithromycin 1g SINGLE dose
Or doxycycline 100mg BD for 7 days
What is given for gonorrhoea?
Azithromycin + ceftriaxone IM (stat dose)
What is given for osteomyelitis?
Seek specialist advice if chronic infection or prostheses present.
Give flucloxacillin - 6 week treatment
Consider adding fusidic acid or rifampicin for initial 2 was
If pen allergic give clindamycin
What causes sinusitis (acute)?
Triggered by viral infection but may become complicated by bacterial infection caused by:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae,
- H. Influenzae
- Moraxella catharrhalis
What is given for sinusitis?
Give paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain
ONLY treat patients antibiotics who are systemically unwell or high risk of complications. Give co-amoxiclav 625mg TDS for 5 days
Give PenV 500mg QDS for 5days (non-life threatening symptoms)
In pen allergy give doxycycline, clarithromycin or erythromycin
What do you do if sinusitis symptoms duration is 10 days or less?
NOTHING (Don’t give antibiotic)
What do you do if sinusitis symptoms duration is longer than 10 days with no improvement?
Give NO antibiotic or BACK-UP antibiotic
What is given for the exacerbation of COPD?
Amoxicillin 500mg TDS, doxycycline(200mg stat, then 100mg OD) or clarithromycin (500mg bd).
5 days treatment
What organisms cause COPD exacerbations?
- Streptococcus pneumoniae,
- H. Influenzae
- Moraxella catharrhalis
What is the difference between CURB-65 and CRB-65?
It’s a 1 point system
Curb-65 (hospital acquired) pneumonia that develops 48 hours after hospital admission.
C= confusion U= urea > 7mmol/l (HOSPITAL ONLY) R= RR 30breaths per min or more B= sBP is < 90 or dBP is 60 or less AGE= 65 or more
CRB-65 is community acquired pneumonia
What do the severity scores for CAP OR HAP indicate?
0-1: low severity
2: moderate severity
3-5: high severity
what is the treatment for CAP?
-Low severity: Amoxicillin 500mg TDS or doxycycline or clarithromycin 500mg (‘ACE’)bd for 7 days.
-moderate severity: Amoxicillin 500mg -1g TDS + clarithromycin 500mg bd (‘ACE’)
If oral not possible give IV versions
ALTERNATIVE: oral doxycycline ALONE (7-10 DAYS)
-high severity: Pen G 1.2g TDS + clarithromycin 500mg BD (7-10 days)’ACE’
Or Pen G + doxycycline
If life threatening infection, or gram -ve infection suspected, or co-morbidities present, or if living in long-term nursing home, give:
Co-amoxiclav 1.25g TDS IV + clarithromycin 500mg IV bd.
Alternatively give:
Cefuroxime + clarithromycin or ‘ACE’
What is the treatment of HAP?
Early onset less than 5 days after admission: give co-amoxiclav or cefuroxime. 7 days treatment.
Late onset more than 5 days after admission: give tazocin or broad spec cephalosporin such as ceftazidime OR ciprofloxacin. 7 days treatment.
What do we give for small areas of impetigo on the skin?
Topical fusidic acid (7-10 days)
If MRSA suspected: topical mupirocin 7-10 days
What is given for widespread impetigo on the skin?
Flucloxacillin
If streptococci suspected: ADD Pen V
If pen allergic: give ACE
7 day treatment
What is given for cellulitis?
Flucloxacillin (high dose) 500mg QDS
If streptococcal suspected: replace with Pen V or Pen G
If pen allergic: ACE or clindamycin, vancomycin or teicoplanin.
What is organism causes mastitis? What treatment is given for mastitis?
Straphylcococcus aureus
Treat if severe, if systemically unwell, if symptoms do not improve after 12-24 hours of effective milk removal.
Flucloxacillin 10-14 days
If pen allergic: erythromycin 10-14 days
What is given for acute pyelonephritis?
inital Injection of broad spec cephalosporin cefuroxime (250mg bd) OR ciprofloxacin (500mg bd) if severely ill.
Gentamicin can also be used.
Duration 10-14 days
List some aminoglycosides
Amikacin Gentamicin Neomycin Streptomycin Tobramycin
What is the therapeutic range for multiple daily dosing for gentamicin and amikacin?
- Gentamicin:
peak conc: 5-10mg/L
Trough (pre dose conc) <2mg/L - Amikacin:
Peak conc <30mg/L
TROUGH conc <10mg/L
Once daily dosing for amikacin:
Trough< 5mg/L
What is the therapeutic ranges for gentamicin for endocarditis treatment?
Peak conc: 3-5mg/L
Trough: <1mg/L
Which group of people must have their serum conc levels measured when taking parenteral aminoglycosides?
Elderly
Obesity
Cystic fibrosis
If high doses are being given
In patients with normal renal function, when do you measure aminoglycoside conc for multiple daily regimen?
Measure after 3-4 doses have been given
Take blood sample 1 hour after the dose= peak conc
Trough: take blood Sample just before the next dose
Route of admin: IM OR IV
What do you do if the peak conc (post dose) or trough (pre dose ) is higher than normal?
Peak conc: reduce the dose
Trough: increase the dose=increase dosing interval
What are the monitoring requirements other than serum concs for aminoglycosides?
Renal function: baseline and during treatment
Auditory and vestibular function: during treatment
What is the route of elimination of aminoglycosides?
And what are the major side effects?
Renally excreted
Accumulation occurs during renal impairment increasing risk of otoxicity and nephrotoxicity
what conditions should once daily dosing for aminoglycosides be avoided in?
- Patients Endocarditis due to gram +ve bacteria
- patients with burns of more than 20% of the total BSA
- patients with CrCL <20ml/min
- patients with HÁČEK endocarditis
Insufficient evidence to recommend once daily dosing in pregnancy.
What other ototoxic and nephrotoxic drugs should be avoided with aminoglycosides?
Ototoxic drugs:
Loop diuretics
Vancomycin
cisplatin
Nephrotoxic: Cisplatin Ciclosporin Tacrolimus Vancomycin
What patient advice should be given regarding aminoglycosides?
- Report signs and symptoms of hearing issues (ototoxicity)
- Ensure patient is drinking adequate fluids to prevent dehydration before starting treatment.
What is the CI of aminoglycosides?
Myasthenia gravis: May impairment neuromuscular transmission.
Why is imipenem given with cilastatin?
Imipenem is partially inactivated by the kidneys by enzymatic activity.
Therefore cilastatin is an enzyme inhibitor that blocks renal metabolism.
List examples of 1st gen cephalosporins?
Cefalexin
Cefradine
Cefradroxil
List examples of 2nd gen cephalosporins?
Cefaclor
Cefuroxime
List examples of 3rd gen cephalosporins?
Cefixime
Ceftriaxone
Ceftazidime
Cefotaxime