Continuous-infusion penicillin home-based therapy for serious infections due to penicillin-susceptible pathogens

Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2007 May;29(5):544-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2006.10.018. Epub 2007 Mar 29.

Abstract

To evaluate the feasibility of continuous-infusion (CI) penicillin in the treatment of serious bacterial infections, consecutive adult patients with deep-seated infections due to penicillin-susceptible pathogens were treated with CI aqueous penicillin G in a home-based programme, and their treatment outcomes were reviewed. Thirty-one patients with microbiologically proven infections completed the planned course of treatment. Twenty of 31 (65%) were followed for at least 2 months thereafter, and all remained free of relapse. One patient had fever attributable to penicillin hypersensitivity, two patients developed catheter-site infections and one patient developed catheter-related bacteraemia. Thus, CI penicillin is feasible for the home-based treatment of a variety of deep-seated infections with minimal toxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy*
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / complications
  • Female
  • Home Infusion Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous* / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Penicillin G / administration & dosage*
  • Penicillin G / adverse effects
  • Penicillin G / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Penicillin G