Empiric aztreonam is associated with increased mortality compared to beta-lactams in septic shock.

Purpose: To determine if aztreonam as initial empiric treatment of adult septic shock is associated with increased mortality compared to the use of anti-pseudomonal beta-lactam agents.

Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 582 adult emergency department patients admitted to 12 acute care facilities within a single health system from January 2014 to December 2017 with septic shock receiving either aztreonam or an anti-pseudomonal beta-lactam for empiric treatment and discharged with an infection-related ICD-9 or ICD-10 code. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality.

Novel developments in the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections.

: Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI) represents a major burden for healthcare systems. The increased prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, combined with the limited availability of microbiologic data when treating ABSSSI, has led to a need for more convenient, less toxic anti-MRSA agents. Recent approvals have added several agents to the antibiotic armamentarium that provide an expanded spectrum of activity and ease of administration compared to older agents.