Analysis of individualized diagnosis and treatment of urosepsis patient / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective Combined with domestic and foreign guidelines,to explore the individualized treatment strategy of urosepsis,and to provide reference for standardized diagnosis and treatment of urosepsis patient.Methods To analyze the diagnosis and treatment process of a patient with urogenic sepsis who was admitted to the department of critical care medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University in April 15,2021.During the diagnosis and treatment process,we performed puncture drainage fluid and urine culture as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis from the perspective of etiology.Considering the possible pathogenic bacteria at the infection site,the drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria in medical units,and drug safety,imipenem and cilastatin was chosen for anti-infective therapy.A two-step approach was used for drug administration based on drug pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamic(PK/PD)characteristics,and drug concentration monitoring.The patients were followed up after discharge.Results The patient was critically ill on admission and was diagnosed with urosepsis.We optimize the empirical use of antimicrobials based on their PK/PD characteristics.Ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrostomy of the left renal pelvis was performed to adequately drain the infection.Urine culture returned as extended-spectrum β-lactamase(ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli,confirming the etiological diagnosis.After 7 days of treatment,the patient's condition improved,the antibacterial drugs were downgraded to piperacillin-tazobactam,and the total course of anti-infection was 14 days.The patient was in good condition 2 months after discharge,and underwent left ureteral calculus and lithotripsy in the local hospital,and the left nephrostomy tube was removed.After discharge,the patient's condition was stable,no recurrence was found after 7 months of follow-up,and daily life was not affected.Conclusions Management of infection foci in urosepsis patient is critical.Diagnosis and treatment should refer to domestic and foreign guidelines,and formulate treatment strategies based on the distribution of local pathogens,drug resistance,and the actual clinical conditions of patients.Optimize the use of antibiotics based on drug PK/PD characteristics,monitor the concentration of therapeutic drugs,and realize individualized treatment.

Effect of Modified Dayuansan Combined with Imipenem-cilastatin on Biofilm of Clinically Isolated Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo screen out the extended spectrum beta-lactamase （ESBL）-producing Escherichia coli with the strongest biofilm-forming ability through experiments， and discuss the effect of modified Dayuansan （MDYS） combined with imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium on the biofilm of E. coli. MethodThe paper diffusion and crystal violet staining methods were used to identify 19 clinically isolated strains of drug-resistant E. coli-induced enzymes and the biofilm-forming ability. The induced enzymes and the E. coli with the strongest biofilm-forming ability were screened out. The minimum inhibitory concentration （MIC） value of MDYS and imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium was determined by 2，3-bis（2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl）-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxamide （XTT） assay. The 1/2， 1/4， and 1/8 MIC of the water extract of MDYS， imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium alone， and MDYS combined with imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay to obtain the optimum concentration of drugs. BioFlux dynamically observed the effect of the optimum combined drug concentration on the number of bacteria in the biofilm and the biofilm formation of E. coli， and observed the distribution of live/dead bacteria with a laser confocal scanning microscope. Finally， the morphological changes in bacteria after drug treatment were observed statically by scanning electron microscopy. ResultE5E7 strain was ESBL enzyme and the E. coli with the strongest biofilm-forming ability. The results of MTT assay showed that the MIC values of the water extracts of imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium and MDYS were 1 mg·L-1 and 250 g·L-1， respectively. The results of XTT assay showed that compared with the blank group， the 1/2， 1/4， and 1/8 MIC MDYS groups and the combined drug groups significantly decreased the number of bacteria in the biofilm （P<0.01）. The inhibitory effect diminished as the concentration of imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium decreased. Compared with the imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium group with the same concentration， the combined drug group improved the inhibitory effect on the number of bacteria in the biofilm （P<0.01）. Compared with the MDYS group with the same concentration， 1/2 MIC imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium combined with 1/2， 1/4， and 1/8 MIC MDYS， 1/4 MIC imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium combined with 1/2 and 1/4 MIC MDYS， and 1/8 MIC imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium combined with 1/2 and 1/4 MIC MDYS decreased the number of bacteria （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The results of BioFlux showed that compared with the blank group， the 1/2 and 1/8 MIC imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium groups had an insignificant effect on the area of biofilm， whereas the 1/2 and 1/4 MIC MDYS groups significantly decreased the area of biofilm. The results under the scanning electron microscopy showed that as compared with the blank group and the imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium group， the division cycle was significantly longer under the action of MDYS combined with imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium. The length of the division cycle in the combined drug group was higher than that in drug alone group. ConclusionIn vitro studies reveal that MDYS combined with commonly-used antibiotics can inhibit the biofilm status of multi-drug resistant E. coli， and MDYS has the effect of enhancing sensitization and inhibiting bacteria with synergistic antibiotics.

Effect of Modified Dayuansan Combined with Imipenem-cilastatin on Biofilm of Clinically Isolated Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo screen out the extended spectrum beta-lactamase （ESBL）-producing Escherichia coli with the strongest biofilm-forming ability through experiments， and discuss the effect of modified Dayuansan （MDYS） combined with imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium on the biofilm of E. coli. MethodThe paper diffusion and crystal violet staining methods were used to identify 19 clinically isolated strains of drug-resistant E. coli-induced enzymes and the biofilm-forming ability. The induced enzymes and the E. coli with the strongest biofilm-forming ability were screened out. The minimum inhibitory concentration （MIC） value of MDYS and imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium was determined by 2，3-bis（2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl）-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxamide （XTT） assay. The 1/2， 1/4， and 1/8 MIC of the water extract of MDYS， imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium alone， and MDYS combined with imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay to obtain the optimum concentration of drugs. BioFlux dynamically observed the effect of the optimum combined drug concentration on the number of bacteria in the biofilm and the biofilm formation of E. coli， and observed the distribution of live/dead bacteria with a laser confocal scanning microscope. Finally， the morphological changes in bacteria after drug treatment were observed statically by scanning electron microscopy. ResultE5E7 strain was ESBL enzyme and the E. coli with the strongest biofilm-forming ability. The results of MTT assay showed that the MIC values of the water extracts of imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium and MDYS were 1 mg·L-1 and 250 g·L-1， respectively. The results of XTT assay showed that compared with the blank group， the 1/2， 1/4， and 1/8 MIC MDYS groups and the combined drug groups significantly decreased the number of bacteria in the biofilm （P<0.01）. The inhibitory effect diminished as the concentration of imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium decreased. Compared with the imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium group with the same concentration， the combined drug group improved the inhibitory effect on the number of bacteria in the biofilm （P<0.01）. Compared with the MDYS group with the same concentration， 1/2 MIC imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium combined with 1/2， 1/4， and 1/8 MIC MDYS， 1/4 MIC imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium combined with 1/2 and 1/4 MIC MDYS， and 1/8 MIC imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium combined with 1/2 and 1/4 MIC MDYS decreased the number of bacteria （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The results of BioFlux showed that compared with the blank group， the 1/2 and 1/8 MIC imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium groups had an insignificant effect on the area of biofilm， whereas the 1/2 and 1/4 MIC MDYS groups significantly decreased the area of biofilm. The results under the scanning electron microscopy showed that as compared with the blank group and the imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium group， the division cycle was significantly longer under the action of MDYS combined with imipenem-cilastatin and cilastatin sodium. The length of the division cycle in the combined drug group was higher than that in drug alone group. ConclusionIn vitro studies reveal that MDYS combined with commonly-used antibiotics can inhibit the biofilm status of multi-drug resistant E. coli， and MDYS has the effect of enhancing sensitization and inhibiting bacteria with synergistic antibiotics.

Research advance of population pharmacokinetics of imipenem-cilastatin in special status populations / 中国药房

Imipenem-cilastatin is a broad-spectrum carbapenem antibiotic drug that has been widely used in clinical practice ， but there is a lack of guidelines and expert consensus on the development of individualized regimens for special status populations [e.g. continuous renal replacement therapy （CRRT）patients，extracorporeal membrane oxygenation （ECMO）patients， critically ill burn patients ，neonates and children]. In this paper ，by searching population pharmacokinetics research of imipenem- cilastatin in special status populations ，it is recommended that imipenem-cilastatin is given 1 to 3 g/d for CRRT patients ；500 mg to 1 g，q6 h for burn patients ；750 mg to 1 g，q6 h for ECMO patients ；20 mg/kg or 25 mg/kg，q8 h for neonates ；and 25 mg/kg，q6 h for children.

Effects of imipenem-cilastatin sodium combined with immunoglobulin on serum PCT, hs-CRP and TNF-α in children with baby sepsis complicated with disseminated intravascular coagulation / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

AIM: To investigate the effects of imipenem-cilastatin sodium combined with immunoglobulin on serum PCT, hs-CRP and TNF-α in child with baby sepsis complicated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). METHODS: Ninty-two cases of patients with sepsis and DIC neonates admitted to our hospital from January 2013 to April 2019 were enrolled in this study. All the children were divided into observation group and control group according to random number table method, 46 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with imipenem-cilastatin sodium, and the patients in the observation group were treated with imipenem-cilastatin sodium combined with immunoglobulin. The efficacy of the two groups, the time of DIC index returned to normal, bleeding stopped and ICU hospitalization time, coagulation parameters (FIB, PLT, D-D, TT), serum inflammatory factor levels and incidence of adverse reactions were compared. RESULTS: The total effective rate of treatment in the observation group was 93.48% (43/46), which was higher than that in the control group (78.26%, 36/46) (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Imipenem-cilastatin combined with immunoglobulin is effective in the treatment of baby sepsis complicated with DIC. It can alleviate or eliminate bleeding and other symptoms, shorten ICU hospitalization time, improve coagulation function, and reduce serum PCT and hs-CRP, TNF-α expression, and the body's inflammatory response, combined with fewer adverse reactions, which has a higher clinical value.

Effect of Tanreqing Injection Combined with Imipenem-cilastatin in Inhibiting Extensively-drug Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of combination of Tanreqing injection(Tanreqing) and imipenem-cilastatin on extensively-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (XDPA), and study the mechanism of the combination. Method:The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Tanreqing and imipenem-cilastatin against planktonic XDPA strain isolated in clinic were determined by the broth microdilution method. The checkerboard method was used to evaluate the combination effect. The bacterial metabolic activity in mature biofilm was studied by microtiter-plate test. The destructive effect of combination drugs on dynamic biofilm was observed by using BioFlux system, and viable cells were examined by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) after treatment. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for observing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and length measurement. Result:The MIC values of imipenem-cilastatin and Tanreqing were 512 mg·L-1 and more than 16 500 mg·L-1. The checkerboard analysis showed that Tanreqing could enhance the sensitivity of imipenem-cilastatin, while the combination drugs synergistically inhibited the growth of bacteria. Compared with the control group or the imipenem-cilastatin individual group, the combined drugs significantly reduced the amount of living bacteria in the biofilm (PPPConclusion:Tanreqing and imipenem-cilastatin synergistically inhibit the bacterial growth in planktonic and biofilm states, and destruct biofilms.

Efficacy and safety of meropenem and imipenem cilastatin in elderly pulmonary infection / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To study and compare the efficacy and safety of meropenem and imipenem cilastatin in the treatment of elderly patients with pulmonary infection.Methods A total of 124 elderly patients with pulmonary infection treated in our hospital were chosen.They were randomly divided into two groups.61 patients in the control group were treated with imipenem cilastatin, and 63 patients in the study group were treated with meropenem injection.After two weeks of treatment, the clearance rate of the pathogens, the effective rate of treatment and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results The clearance rate of pathogens in the study group was 98.41%, significantly higher than the control group (88.52%).There was no significant difference in effective rate between the study group (98.41%) and the control group(93.44%).There was no significant difference in incidence of adverse reactions between the study group (7.94%) and the control group (13.11%).Conclusion Meropenem or imipenem cilastatin has similar effective rate and adverse reactions , while meropenem could effectively eradicate bacterial infection in the treatment of pulmonary infection in elderly patients.

Difference in resistance risk of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from sputum of patients with mechanical ventilation and imipenem/cilastatin and meropenem treatment / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To understand antimicrobial resistance and therapeutic efficacy of imipenem/cilastatin and meropenem for treatment of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRPA)from patients with mechanical ventilation.Methods From January 2010 to December 2015,78 patients with mechanical ventilation and isolated MDRPA from sputum cultures were selected and divided into imipenem/cilastatin (n=44)and meropenem(n=34) treatment groups,basic condition,time of emergence of drug resistance,and therapeutic efficacy of antimicrobial agents between two groups were compared.Results The basic data of two groups were comparable,before treat-ment by imipenem/cilastatin and meropenem,resistance rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P .aeruginosa )to quinolones,ceftazidime,piperacillin,and amikacin were not significantly different (all P >0.05).After patients received antimicrobial agents for 6 days,difference in antimicrobial resistance between imipenem /cilastatin and meropenem treatment groups were not significantly different (22.73% vs 8.82%,P >0.05).On the 8th,10th,and 12th day of treatment,resistance rates of imipenem treatment group were 40.91%,77.27%,and 97.73%, respectively,which were all higher than meropenem treatment group (17.65%,32.35%,44.12%,respectively,all P <0.05).After the treatment with different antimicrobial agents,the average time for the emergence of resistance in imipenem/cilastatin and meropenem treatment group were 9.0 days and 13.5 days respectively.Therapeutic efficacy between two groups was not significantly different (64.71% vs 74.19%,P =0.41).Conclusion Compared with meropenem,imipenem/cilastatin shows higher risk for the emergence of drug resistance during therapy of P . aeruginosa infection in patients with mechanical ventilation,there is no significant difference in therapeutic efficacy between two groups of patients after 7 days of treatment.

Cost-effectiveness analysis on Imipenem-Cilastatin Sodium and Meropenem for severe infection / 中国综合临床

Objective To evaluate the economic effects of Imipenem-Cilastatin Sodium and Meropenem for severe infection.Methods The therapeutic effects and costs of the two therapeutic schemes for severe infection were evaluated by using cost-minimization analysis.Results The total effective rates of Imipenemcilastatin group and Meropenem group in the treatment severe infection were 93.33％ (28/30) and 85.71％ (24/28),the difference were not statistically significant (x2 =4.89,P =0.082).The cost-effectiveness ratio (C/E) were 40.35 and 71.69 respectively.The cost of every unit increment of effectiveness for Meropenem group were 312.16 Yuan,more than that of the Imipenem-cilastatin group.Conclusion Cost-effectiveness ratio of Imipenem-cilastatin is superior to that of Meropenem,and Imipenem-cilastatin has obvious pharmacoeconomics advantage over Meropenem for severe infections.

The clinical efficacy of prepenem for treatment for lower respiratory tract infection of cranial neurosurgical patients after tracheotomy / 中国基层医药

Objective To investigate the clinical curative effect of Prepenem for pathogen from cranial neu-rosurgieal patients with lower respiratory tract infection after traeheotomy and to provide basis for treatment of such pa-tients. Methods Thirty-two cranial neurosurgical patients with lower respiratory tract infection after tracheotomy were enrolled in the study with original empiric therapy with Prepenem. And the pathogenic bacteria in sputum from patients with lower respiratory tract infection after traeheotomy were stricdy identified and analyzed by automatic mi-croorganism analyzers. The clinical efficacy of Prepenem was identified after treatment. Results The straim of bacte-rial species(48) and funni(5) from 32 specimens were isolated. 15 strains were infected by one kind of bacteria and 38 strains were infected by two kinds of bacteria. Among the pathogen, gram-negative bacilli were about 64. 1% and Klebsiela pneumoniae (18. 8%)was the most predominant, gram-positive coccobacteria were about 26. 4% and Staph-ylococcus aureus(13.2%)was the most predominant,funni were about 9.4% and C. albicans (5.7%)was the most predominant. The drug sensitivity test showed that the ratio of drug resistance of bacteria isolated from sputum was high,but gram-negative bacilli were highly sensitive to imipenem. Staphylococcus aurens was sensitive to Nitrofuran-toin and Rifampicin. Satisfied clinical curative effect was shown by the de-escalation therapy for all patients. Conclu-sions Gram-negative bacili in cranial neurosurgical patients with lower respiratory tract infection after tracheotomy are the main pathogenic bacteria from lower respiratory tract infection, and Staphylococcus aureus are the main gram-positive cocci. So the drug sensitivity test of sputum should be done more often and antibiotics must be selected ac-cording to the drug sensitivity test. In general, this kind of infection can be controlled by prepenem effectively.

Evaluation of clinical treatment of aspiration pneumonia in aged patients / 中国综合临床

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of administration of ampicillin/sulbactam and imipenem/cilastatin in treatment of aspiration pneumonia in aged patients. Methods 26 aged patients was treated with aspira-tion pneumonia (2.25～3.00 g) through vessel injection twice perday,and another 26 patients was treated with imi-penem/cilastatin (0.5 g) through vessile injection every 6～8 hours. We evaluated the efficacy through assessing the temperature,the chest radiography,WBC and CRP,incidence of side effects,the time to cure and the clearance of bacteria. Results The cure rate was 84.6% (22/26) and 92.3% (24/26),respectively (χ2=0.19,P=0.66). The time to cure was 8.2±2.8 days and 7.5±1.6 days for the groups (t=1.107,P=0.274). Gastrointestinal side effects were observed in the group of ampicillin/sulbactarn;slight abnormality of liver function occurred in the group of imipenem/cilastatin ;all above adverse effects in two groups were rapidly and completely disappeared after therapy stopped. Conclusion Both ampicillin/sulbactam and imipenem/cilastatin are effective antibiotics to treat aspiration pneumonia in aged patients.

Analysis of 28 Cases of Seizure Induced by Imipenem/cilastatin Reported in Domestic Literature / 药物流行病学杂志

Objective:To analyze and discuss the factors of seizure induced by imipenem/cilastatin.Method: The reports of seizure induced by imipenem/cilastatin from CBMDisc(1971-2006)and CHKD(1994-2006)were re- viewed and analyzed with Excel.Result:28 cases of seizure induced by imipenem/cilastatin were collected,including 20 men and 8 women with the principal primary respiratory infection with an average age of 66.5.Seizure occurred as early as 10 min.after the medication,and occurred latest in the fourth day of the medication.22 cases showed grand mal seizure and 6,partial seizure with a duration ranging from 20s to 30min and with a frequency of eight seizures.18 cases discontin- ued the administration,and 8 cases took lower daily dosage,in which some were given antiepileptic drugs or other adjunc- tive therapy,and 2 cases were not treated at all.All the cases recovered and were discharged from hospital except one who died from his circulation failure and respiration failure.The cause-effect relations of the relevance evaluation of seizures e- yoked by imipenem/cilastatin were as follows:1 sure case,26 probable cases,and 1 possible case.Conclusion:Seizure can be induced by imipenem/cilastatin,Owhich should be rationally used.More attention should be paid in clinic so as to ensure a safe medication.

Comparison of Efficacy of Cefoperazone/Sulbactam and Imipenem/Cilastatin for Treatment of Acinetobacter Bacteremia

Multiple antibiotic reisistance threatens successful treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii infections worldwide. Increasing interest in the well-known activity of sulbactam against the genus Acinetobacter has been aroused. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes for patients with Acinetobacter bacteremia treated with cefoperazone/sulbactam versus imipenem/cilastatin. Forty-seven patients with Acinetobacter baumannii bacteremia were analyzed through a retrospective review of their medical records for antibiotic therapy and clinical outcome. Thirty-five patients were treated with cefoperazone/sulbactam, and twelve patients with imipenem/ cilastatin. The percentage of favorable response after 72 hours was not statistically different between cefoperazone/ sulbactam group and imipenem/ cilastatin group. The mortality rate was not statistically different, too. Cefoperazone/sulbactam was found to be as useful as imipenem/cilastatin for treating patients with Acinetobacter bacteremia.

Clinical study on antibiotic-induced endotoxin release in Gram-negative bacterial infection / 临床外科杂志

Objective To observe the various influence of Imipenem/Cilastatin(IPM) and Cefoperazone(CPZ) on Gram-negative bacterial endotoxin release in severely burned patients.Methods Patients were divided into IPM group and CPZ group randomly. The bacterial cultures and microbial drug-sensitivities of burn wound swabs and subeschar tissues were performed on the 1st and 3rd day, At the same time, the levels of LPS in plasma were detected in seven burned patients administrated with IPM and six with CPZ at the time 0?2?4?12?24?48?72h of antibiotics administration.Results Patients were infected by Gram-negative bacterial. The counting of bacteria in subeschar tissues decreased 10~100 times after the administration of antibiotics 3 days; Plasma LPS levels elevated to the peak value at 2h after infusion of IPM or CPZ , and then showed significant decrease. The magnitude of increased LPS in CPZ group was higher than that in IPM group; The LPS levels of 72h were lower significantly than that of 0h.Conclusion IPM and CPZ could effectively control Gram-negative bacterial infection and induce the releases of LPS from bacteria, of which the former induced less LPS release than the latter; The levels of LPS came down with the decreasing of bacterial counting.

Imipenem-cilastatin versus sulbactam-cefoperazone plus amikacin in the initial treatment of febrile neutropenic cancer patients

The treatment of infectious complications in cancer patients has evolved as a consequence of the developments in the chemotherapy of cancer patients. In this prospective, randomized study, we compared imipenem-cilastatin and sulbactam-cefoperazone with amikacin in the empiric therapy of febrile neutropenic ( 0.05). No major adverse effects occurred. This study demonstrated that imipenem-cilastatin monotherapy and combination therapy of sulbactam-cefoperazone plus amikacin were equally effective empiric therapy for febrile granulocytopenic cancer patients.

A multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing the clinical efficacy of Imipenem/Cilastin and Ceftazidime plus Metronidazole in surgically treated serious intra-abdominal infections

An open, prostective, randomized multicenter clinical trial randomly allocated successive patient who were scheduled for a surgical procedure for serious intra-abdominal infections to receive either treatment CM (ceftazidine plus metronidazole) or monotherapy with treatment IC (imipenem/cilastatin). Out of 90 eligible patients, 87 were clinically evaluable of which 71 were clinically and bacteriologically evaluable (CBE). Cases allocated to each treatment group were comparable as to age, sex, diagnostic group distribution, mean APACHE II scores, and bacteriologic evaluability. Among the 87 clinically evaluable patients, there were 4 (9.1%) and 2 (4.7%) treatment failures among those who received treatments CM and IC respectively (p=0.486). For all eligible patients, the mean fever days was 2.07, mean treatment days was 6.01, and mean hospital days was 11.57, and was not significantly different between the two treatment groups. Among clinically evaluable cases, the mean APACHE II scores of patients with succesful outcomes (5.8) was very significantly lower (p=0.000) than that of patients whose treatment failed (13.8). This was also true for CBE cases. Logistic regression analysis showed that among six variables (diagnostic group, APACHE II score, antibiotic used, fever days, hospital days and treatment days) only the APACHE II score signficantly contributed to treatment failure (p=0.001).