Novel considerations of antimicrobials

Abstract

Background: Various characteristics related to some microorganisms are important to deal with the therapeutics of many clinical illnesses. Antibiotics are important when used in infections caused by known a wide range of microorganisms. Their pharmacokinetic features are important to be noted by physicians. Regarding cephalosporins, the route of administration and combination of antibiotics are much more important to predict their effects. Age of patient is another consideration point regarding these drugs. We compared the clinical efficacy of ciprofloxacin versus ceftriaxone in terms of the proportion of children becoming afebrile in 96 h. It was a randomized, controlled design study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatrics, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, from March 2010 to September 2010. Materials and Methods: Eighty-eight children who fulfilled the clinical criteria of having typhoid fever were included in the study and were coming to the indoor and outdoor areas of the department. 44 patients were treated with injectable ciprofloxacin, and 44 were treated with injectable ceftriaxone. Results: The study included 88 patients with febrile illnesses suspected of having typhoid fever. The mean age was 8.3 ± 1.94 years, and 41 (46.6%) were males. The mean weight was 24.7 ± 6.3 kg. Only 15 (17%) used boiled water as a routine. 68 (77.3%) children in total became afebrile within 96 h, and 20 (22.7%) failed to become afebrile in 96 h. In the ciprofloxacin group, 25 (56.8%) patients became afebrile in 96 h, and 19 (43.1%) failed to become afebrile in 96 h. In the ceftriaxone group, 43 (97.7%) patients became afebrile in 96 h, and 1 (2.3%) failed to become afebrile in 96 h. The proportion of patients becoming afebrile within 96 h was significantly higher in the ceftriaxone group as compared to ciprofloxacin group (P = 0.00). Conclusion: It may be concluded that some antibiotics are important to study for alternative drugs related to their kinetic properties, like ceftriaxone.