Empirical antibiotic therapy and lower respiratory tract infections: European guidelines and current practices.

Guidelines for the management of lower respiratory tract infection have been published in four European countries. The scope of each of these articles is reviewed and the similarities, differences and deficiencies highlighted. Very little is known about how lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are managed in routine practice in Europe, especially in the community. The available data suggest major differences in antibiotic use between countries which is likely to be multifactorial in origin.