How Much is Enough? The Case for a Short Course of Treatment for Pseudomonas Bloodstream Infections

Source: CDC.gov

I like it when a study answers the practical question of how much is enough? In this case the focus is the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infections.

Kudos to Dr. Valeria Fabre and colleagues from Johns Hopkins University on this recently published manuscript in Clinical Infectious Diseases. In the absence of metastatic infection, with source control achieved and with therapy transitioned from IV to oral treatment, a 10 day course of antibiotics was sufficient for Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia. To boot, a short course of antibiotic therapy was associated with a reduced length of hospital stay.  Hospital administration will be thrilled.

The time honored 14 days of intravenous therapy for bacteremia is once again challenged.