Current state of infectious diseases--potential areas of directed therapy with aztreonam.

Gram-negative bacillary organisms have continued to be a major source of hospital infections. Beta-lactamase-producing species have rendered many older beta-lactam antibiotics impotent. Aztreonam is a monocyclic beta-lactam antibiotic that inhibits aerobic gram-negative bacilli, including beta-lactamase-producing species. The agent has been used in the treatment of infections due to Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Potential areas of use of aztreonam are as sole therapy for urinary tract infections, gram-negative pneumonias, and bone and joint infections. It can be used in combination with other antibiotics as empiric therapy of respiratory, intra-abdominal, skin structure, and gynecologic infections. Aztreonam offers a new approach to the use of beta-lactam antibiotics.