Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Making Antibiotic Choices: Formula Derivation and Usage in the Rational Selection of Antibiotics in the Empirical Treatment of Infections

Matthias Adorka¹ , Martie Lubbe², Jan Serfontein², Kirk Allen³, Honore Mitonga Kabwebwe⁴

¹School of Pharmacy, FOHS, University of Namibia. P/B 13301, Windhoek, Namibia; ²Medicine Usage in South Africa, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa; ³Faculty of Health & Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, England; ⁴Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.

For correspondence:- Matthias Adorka Email: madorka@yahoo.com Tel:+264817761424

Received: 4 September 2013 Accepted: 16 November 2013 Published: 24 December 2013

Citation: Adorka M, Lubbe M, Serfontein J, Allen K, Kabwebwe HM. Making Antibiotic Choices: Formula Derivation and Usage in the Rational Selection of Antibiotics in the Empirical Treatment of Infections. Trop J Pharm Res 2013; 12(6):1029-1034 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v12i6.24

© 2013 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To develop mathematical formulae to aid the selection of antibiotics most appropriate in the empirical treatment of infections.

Methods: Formulae quantifying the characteristics of antibiotics with regard to their cost and activity against associated bacterial isolates of given infections were derived from probability laws. Data from records of culture sensitivity test results were compiled and analysed to ascertain bacterial pathogen associations with infections and their sensitivities to prescribed antibiotics. Applicability of derived formulae was demonstrated in the rational selection of antibiotics most appropriate in the empirical treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in selected hospitals in Lesotho.

Results: Escherichia. coli, followed by Klebsiella spp, Proteus spp, non-haemolytic Streptococci, Streptococcus pyogenes and then, Pseudomonas spp were identified as the most common uropathogens at the hospitals studied. Two mathematical formulae were derived and used in quantifying activity and cost characteristics of prescribed antibiotics. Cefotaxime, followed by ciprofloxacin - were considered most appropriate for use in treating UTIs empirically among inpatients of the hospitals.

Conclusion: Quantifying and using procedurally antibacterial activities and cost characteristics of antibiotics provides a suitable means of making antibiotic choices in the empirical treatment of infections.

Keywords: Antibiotics, Derived formulae, Rational selection, Empiric treatment, Urinary tract infection, Lesotho