COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA - EXAMINING THE ROLE OF NEW ORAL ANTIBIOTICS

Newer oral antimicrobials from the beta-lactam, macrolide, and fluoroq uinolone groups offer effective albeit more expensive alternatives to traditional agents in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (C AP). Because of their activity against several causative organisms, or al macrolide antibiotics may be adequate as empiric therapy for young, previously healthy adults with CAP. For outpatient treatment of elder ly patients or patients with significant co-existing disease, beta-lac tam antibiotics with excellent activity against enteric gram-negative bacteria are preferred. The fluoroquinolones are reasonable choices wh en there is a presumed gram-negative pathogen or in patients with a hi story of beta-lactam hypersensitivity.