CIPROFLOXACIN PLUS METRONIDAZOLE FOR INTRA-ABDOMINAL INFECTION.

Antibiotic regimens for intra-abdominal infections are generally active against gram-negative and anaerobic organisms. This study examined the efficacy of a combination of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole (CIP/MTZ), which has the advantage of both intravenous and oral availability.

Researchers randomized 671 patients with suspected intra- abdominal infection to receive intravenous imipenem, intravenous CIP/MTZ, or initial intravenous CIP/MTZ followed by oral CIP/MTZ (if oral feeding was possible). Among the 330 patients in whom infection was ultimately documented, the three groups had similar rates of successful treatment (81, 84, and 86 percent, respectively). About half the patients in the third group could be switched to oral therapy, and …