Haemophilus influenzae infections antibiotics

PenicBlins With Extended Spectra of Activity. Further modification of the basic penicillin structure produced ampi-cillin and amoxicillin with broader spectra of activity than the original penicillins. One important organism included in the spectra of these antibiotics is Haemophilus influenzae. These antibiotics are used to treat otitis media and respiratory infections in children. 

Mild cases, characterised by pinkness or infection of the eardrum, often resolve spontaneously and need only analgesia emd observation. They are normally viral. A bulging, inflamed eardrum indicates bacterial otitis media usually due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella (Bran-hamella) catarrhalis. Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A) or Staphylococcus aureus. Amoxicillin or co-amoxiclav is satisfactory, but the clinical benefit of antibiotic therapy is very small when tested in controlled trials. Chemotherapy has not removed the need for myringotomy when pain is very severe, and also for later cases, as sterilised pus may not be completely absorbed and may leave adhesions that impair hearing. Chronic infection presents a similar problem to that of chronic sinus infection, above. 

Chloramphenicol is one of the older broad-spectrum antibiotics. It was introduced in 1948 and grew in popularity because of its high antimicrobial activity against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, Rickettsiae, Chlamydia, and Mycoplasma species. It is particularly useful in infections caused by Salmonella typhi and Haemophilus influenzae. It is mainly bacteriostatic. It readily crosses tissue barriers and diffuses rapidly into nearly all tissues and body fluids. 

As with emphysema, measures should also be readily initiated to clear up any concomitant bronchial infection with a 7- to 10-day course of antibiotics, such as tetracycline or ampicillin. Infections can usually be associated with the presence of pathogenic bacteria such as Haemophilus influenza or Streptococcus pnemonia however, microscopic examination and sputum cultures may be necessary if the concomitant infection fails to respond to the usual antibiotics. After the acute stages of infection have subsided, preventive measures such as yearly vaccinations against common influenza virus strains should be instituted. The patient should also be supplied with a 7- to 10-day supply of antibiotics to keep at home and utilize at the first sign of the development of subsequent infections. 

It is believed that the lung infection results from impaired mucus clearance followed by colonization of bacteria in the mucus. The bacteria elaborate a number of toxins, polysaccharides, and enzymes including proteases, elastases, and exotoxin A, which may stimulate the production of additional mucus and further contribute to airway obstruction (Sam et al., 1980 Adler et al., 1983). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the most commonly found bacteria in the lungs of patients with CF, but Klebsiella, Esherichia coli, streptococci, and Haemophilus influenza can also be found. Of particular interest is the observation that mucoid strains of infectious bacteria, which are more pathogenic than nonmucoid strains, are most commonly found in patients with CF (Reynolds et al., 1975, 1976). The mucoid strains are also more resistant to phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages and are impermeable to antibiotics because of their mucoid coats. Thus treatment of pulmonary infections in patients with CF can be unusually difRcult. 

Infections in cystic fibrosis are often due to Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infecting organisms need to be identified so that the most appropriate antibiotics can be used. Antibiotics used to treat respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis commonly include ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, flu-cloxacillin and amoxicillin. However, specialist individual therapy is essential for maximum benefit to the patient and avoidance of the development of resistant strains of bacteria. 

Azithromycin, an azalide macrolide antibiotic (500 mg p.o. as a single dose on day 1, followed by 250 mg daily on days 2 to 5 total accumulation dose is 1.5 g), is indicated in the treatment of acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis, or Streptococcus pneumoniae mild community-acquired pneumonia caused by H. influenzae or S. pneumoniae uncomplicated skin and skin-structure infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or S. agalactiae second-line therapy of pharyngitis or tonsillitis caused by S. pyogenes and in nongonococcal urethritis or cervicitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. 

Al Martini s sputum culture sent on the second day of his admission J for acute alcoholism and pneumonia grew out Haemophilus influenzae. — This organism is sensitive to a variety of antibiotics, including TMP/sulfa. Unfortunately, it appeared that Mr. Martini had suffered an acute hemolysis (lysis or destruction of some of his red blood cells), probably induced by exposure to the sulfa drug and his infection with H. influenzae. The hemoglobin that escaped from the lysed red blood cells was filtered by his kidneys and appeared in his urine. 

One also often may successfully combine two bacteriostatic antibiotics for special purposes, such as a macrolide and a sulfonamide. Occasionally, these are used in combination for the treatment of an upper respiratory tract infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae, because the combination of a protein biosynthesis inhibitor and an... 

Children are most susceptible to ear infections from antibiotic-resistant strains of Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus. Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Branhamella catarrhalis. The above treatment plan has been found highly effective for treating such infections. 

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