Making Antibiotic Choices:
Formula Derivation and Usage in the Rational Selection
of Antibiotics in the Empirical Treatment of Infections
Matthias Adorka1,
Martie Lubbe2, Jan Serfontein2,
Kirk Allen3 and Honore Mitonga Kabwebwe4
1School of Pharmacy, FOHS,
University of Namibia. P/B 13301, Windhoek, Namibia.
2Medicine Usage in South Africa, School of
Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520,
South Africa 3Faculty of Health & Medicine,
Lancaster University, Lancaster, England, 4Department
of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of
Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.
*For correspondence:
Email:
madorka@yahoo.com;
madorka@unam.na; Tel: +264
817761424
Received: 4 September 2013
Revised accepted: 16
November 2013
Tropical Journal of
Pharmaceutical Research, December 2013;
12(6): 1029-1034
http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v12i6.24
Abstract
Purpose:
To develop mathematical
formulae to aid the selection of antibiotics most
appropriate in the empirical treatment of infections.
Methods:
Formulae quantifying the
characteristics of antibiotics with regard to
their cost and activity against associated bacterial
isolates of given infections were derived from
probability laws. Data from records of culture
sensitivity test results were compiled and analysed to
ascertain bacterial pathogen associations with
infections and their sensitivities to prescribed
antibiotics. Applicability of derived formulae was
demonstrated in the rational selection of antibiotics
most appropriate in the empirical treatment of urinary
tract infections (UTIs) in selected hospitals in
Lesotho.
Results:
Escherichia. coli, followed
by Klebsiella spp, Proteus spp, non-haemolytic
Streptococci, Streptococcus pyogenes and then,
Pseudomonas spp were identified as the most common
uropathogens at the hospitals studied. Two mathematical
formulae were derived and used in quantifying activity
and cost characteristics of prescribed antibiotics.
Cefotaxime, followed by ciprofloxacin - were considered
most appropriate for use in treating UTIs empirically
among inpatients of the hospitals.
Conclusion: Quantifying and using
procedurally antibacterial activities and cost
characteristics of antibiotics provides a suitable means
of making antibiotic choices in the empirical treatment
of infections.
Keywords: Antibiotics, Derived
formulae, Rational selection, Empiric treatment,
Urinary tract infection, Lesotho .
