Published in:
Open Access
01-05-2018 | Capsule Commentary
Capsule Commentary on Bremmer et. al., Impact of Procalcitonin Guidance on Management of Adults Hospitalized with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations
Author:
Alexander G. Mathioudakis, MD, MRCP(UK)
Published in:
Journal of General Internal Medicine
|
Issue 5/2018
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Excerpt
Recent data reveal an alarming 50% increase in mean antimicrobial resistance within the last decade, across the OECD member countries.
1 Moreover, the results of extensive campaigns against inappropriate antibiotic prescribing are only modest,
2 emphasizing the need for alternative, effective stewardship methods. Serum procalcitonin, being able to differentiate bacterial versus viral infections or non-specific inflammation, is increasingly and successfully used to guide the initiation and/or discontinuation of antibiotics from primary to intensive care settings.
3 …