Anti-infective treatment of brain abscess

Dataset

Description

<b>Introduction</b>: Brain abscess is an uncommon and potentially life-threatening infection of the CNS that can be caused by a range of different pathogens including bacteria, fungi, and parasites. A multidisciplinary approach is important and anti-infective treatment remains crucial. Here, we review anti-infective treatment of brain abscess. <b>Areas covered</b>: We used the terms ‘(Brain abscess[ti] AND (antibiotic* OR treatment)) NOT case report’), to conduct a search in the PubMed. Additional papers were identified by cross-reference checking and by browsing textbooks of infectious diseases and neurology. <b>Commentary</b>: Empiric treatment of bacterial brain abscess consists of cefotaxime and metronidazole with the addition of vancomycin if meticilline-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> is suspected. For severely immuno-suppressed patients, for example transplant recipients, voriconazole and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or sulfadiazine should be added. Increased knowledge of the pharmacokinetic profile of anti-infective treatments may help to improve the treatment of brain abscess. Future studies should address efficacy and safety of continuous abscess drainage, mode of anti-infective administration (continuous vs. bolus), and anti-infective treatments in immuno-suppressed patients.
Date made available1 Jan 2018
PublisherTaylor & Francis

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