Via practica 5/2013

Place of cephalosporins in the treatment of respiratory infections

Cephalosporins are semisyntetic beta-lactam, broad-spectrum bactericidal antibiotics with good activity against G+ and G-bacteria with a good safety profile, which is successfully used in the treatment of respiratory infections. Cephalosporins are divided into four generations according to the properties such as antimicrobial spectrum, resistance to β-lactamases, the ability to penetrate the cell wall and the pharmacokinetic properties. Acute respiratory infections are diseases with high morbidity but also mortality. They account for more than 30% of patients of general practitioners, in case of epidemic even more. The incidence and symptoms are influenced by the changing spectrum of microbes and triggering causes. Despite various agents, the symptoms of these diseases are very similar. Cephalosporins are successfully used in the treatment of these infections. The biggest disadvantage is the higher price, which is however justified by lower toxicity and high efficiency.

Keywords: cephalosporins, targeted treatment, bacteria, resistance, respiratory infections.