Pharmacology for Anaesthesia and Intensive Care

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9780521704632c22 CUFX213A/Peck 9780521618168 December 29, 2007 14:51

22 Antimicrobials

Table 22.3.Summary of antibacterial drug activity.

Note: significant local variation will exist in microbial senstivity, local guidelines should be consulted

important agents are available for systemic and topical therapy, the most important

systemic intensive care agent being amphotericin B.

Amphotericin B

Amphotericin is a wide spectrum antifungal used in the treatment of serious systemic

infections. Its spectrum of activity includesAspergillus, CandidaandCryptococcus.It

is often combined with flucytosine for cryptococcosis and occasionally for systemic

candidosis. In common with most antifungal agents resistance is seldom acquired

during treatment. Isolates of someCandidaspp. (includingCandida krusei)have