Influence of Antimicrobial Treatment on Mortality in Septicemia

Abstract

First-line treatment regimens for septicemia in patients with hematological malignancies should include the greatest possible part of the spectrum of causative organisms. In contrast to that it may be acceptable to rely to some extent on a change of treatment, when treating septicemia in patients with chronic illnesses or AIDS. These considerations are of value in the debate on rising health care costs. Several other facts, such as the stable mortality rate of 8 - 12% in previously healthy patients and the range of mortality from 9.4 - 50%, if predisposing illnesses are present, indicate the existence of adverse factors influencing the outcome of septicemia in spite of appropriate therapy. These pathophysiological factors will have to be studied in detail in order to improve the prognosis of septicemia further.