Clinical evaluation of intravenous ampicillin as empirical antimicrobial treatment of acute epiglottitis. (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kjaerulff, Ann Marlene Gram; Rusan, Maria; Klug, Tejs Ehlers
• Is Part Of: Acta oto-laryngologica. Volume 138:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 60
• Page End: 65
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Acute epiglottitis -- ampicillin -- empiric antibiotics -- treatment -- complications -- bacterial pathogens; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Ear -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Throat -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Electronic Resources; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; 617.8
• DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2017.1363912
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6489

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The significant pathogens in acute epiglottitis (AE) are poorly defined in the post Haemophilus influenza type b-vaccine era. Furthermore, there is a lack of clinical evaluations of antibiotic regimens in patients with AE. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of empiric intravenous ampicillin in the treatment of patients with AE. Materials & methods: All patients admitted with AE to the Ear-Nose-Throat Department, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, from 2001 to 2015 were included. Results: In total, 103 (51 males) patients were included in the study. The median duration of hospitalization was four days. There was no statistical significant difference between patients initially treated with intravenous ampicillin ( n = 83) or other antibiotics ( n = 20) ( p = .26). The antibiotic regimen was altered during admission in 11% of patients, without significant difference between antibiotic groups (ampicillin 10% vs non-ampicillin 15%, p = .44). Complications potentially related to insufficient antibiotic treatment were observed in four (5%) patients initially treated with ampicillin, but in none of the patients initially treated with antibiotics other than ampicillin ( p = 1.00). Throat swab cultures and blood cultures frequently yielded negative results. Conclusions: Intravenous ampicillin is efficient as empiric antibiotic therapy for AE patients, leading to a quick recovery and low complication rates.