Antibiotic side effects.

There is recent enhanced interest in the potential of medication to produce serious toxicity, and the television media have focused on the serious side effects and drug-drug interactions caused by antibiotics. In fact, a recent hospital study noted that drug-related toxicity was one of the most common causes of death for hospitalized patients. Antibiotic-induced adverse events contribute to host injury diagnostic confusion and excessive medical costs.

What do the new antimicrobials offer? Weighing the advantages and disadvantages compared with traditional agents.

The newest antimicrobial drugs have broader spectrums of activity than their predecessors. But are they better than traditional antimicrobial agents? Several drugs recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may be more effective against uncommon and antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, but their superior efficacy in treating common infections has yet to be proved. Dr Gleckman discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these new drugs and how they can best be used to avoid fostering the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens.

A review of selective infections in the adult diabetic.

Diabetic patients are at risk to develop traditional and unique infections. These infections have suggestive symptoms and signs, but often require radiography and/or tissue biopsy for confirmation. Management of these unique infections typically requires a multidisciplinary approach (medical and surgical).

How do the newer oral antimicrobials stack up against traditional agents?

As the antibiotic arsenal expands with the development of new oral agents, selecting appropriate therapy is becoming more difficult. What are the therapeutic indications for the newer antimicrobials, and what advantages do they have over traditional agents? Drs Gleckman and De La Rosa discuss current issues related to antibiotic treatment and offer specific recommendations for the best use of the newer agents.