Abstract
Objective and background: Aspiration pneumonia is a major health problem in residents of long-term care facilities. Antibiotics with broad coverage aginst gram negative and anaerobic bacteria, such as carbapenems, are cornerstone of treatment. However, once daily administration of meropenem for ambulatory patients is not routine yet.
Methods: A retrospective study of 31 elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia (17 males, 14 females; mean age 85 years) was conducted. In addition, the efficacy and safety of once daily intravenous meropenem (3g) for the treatment of this condition were evaluated.
Results: The overall detection rate of bacteria was 87% (32% monomicrobial, 55% polymicrobial). gram-negative enteric bacilli and anaerobic bacteria were isolated with the same frequency (20%) The overall clinical efficacy rate of meropenem therapy was 61%. The mortality rate was 10%.
Conclusion: The use of antibiotics effective against anaerobic bacteria may be necessary for patients with potentially fatal aspiration pneumonia. Once daily therapy with Meropenem (3g) for aspiration pneumonia is clinically effective and tolerable in elderly patients.
- © 2011 ERS
