Colistin treatment in patients with ICU-acquired infections caused by multiresistant Gram-negative bacteria: the renaissance of an old antibiotic

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2005 Feb;11(2):115-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2004.01043.x.

Abstract

A retrospective case series study was performed in a 30-bed general intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care hospital to assess the effectiveness and safety of colistin in 43 critically ill patients with ICU-acquired infections caused by multiresistant Gram-negative bacteria. Various ICU-acquired infections, mainly pneumonia and bacteraemia caused by multiresistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and/or Acinetobacter baumannii, were treated with colistin. Good clinical response (cure or improvement) was noted in 74.4% of patients. Deterioration of renal function occurred in 18.6% of patients during colistin therapy. Nephrotoxicity was elevated significantly in those patients with a history of renal failure (62.5%). All-cause mortality amounted to 27.9%. In this group of critically ill patients, an age of >50 years (OR, 5.4; 95% CI 1.3-24.9) and acute renal failure (OR, 8.2; 95% CI 2.9-23.8) were independent predictors of mortality. Colistin should be considered as a treatment option in critically ill patients with infection caused by multiresistant Gram-negative bacilli.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Colistin / adverse effects
  • Colistin / therapeutic use*
  • Cross Infection / drug therapy*
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
  • Female
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Colistin