How low can we go in community-acquired pneumonia therapy?

Abstract

Duration of antibiotic therapy is a key decision in the management of community-acquired pneumonia, the number one cause of infectious disease mortality in developed countries such as the USA.1 In current US guidelines, therapy is recommended for a minimum of 5 days in patients admitted to hospital, provided that the patient has been afebrile for at least 48 h, initial therapy was appropriate, there is no more than one clinical instability, and no signs of extrapulmonary infection.1 Shortening the duration of therapy could lead to fewer antibiotic side-effects, less pressure for antimicrobial resistance, reduced costs, and a reduced risk of bacterial superinfection.