Bone and joint antibiotics

Diabetic foot infection

Associated organisms include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Enterobacteriaceae, Proteus, Bacteroides, and Pseudomonas, and Klebsiella

Superficial Mild Infections

Prior antibiotic treatment or moderate infections

Inpatient Treatment


Diskitis or Osteomyelitis

Inpatient Therapy

Use cefepime or ciprofloxacin if targeting Pseudomonas spp

Felon

Definitive treatment is drainage but antibiotic coverage for S. aureus and Strep with caution to identify Herpetic whitlow

Infectious Tenosynovitis

Treatment should cover S. aureus, Streptococcus, and MRSA

Animal Bites

Ampicillin/Sulbactam 3g (50mg/kg) IV four times daily

Pediatrics

Mycobacteria related

Treatment should include usual therapy listed above in addition to:

AND consult infectious disease

Open fracture

Prophylactic Antibiotics for Open fractures

Initiate as soon as possible; increased infection rate when delayed[1]

Grade I & II Fractures Options

  • Cefazolin (Ancef) 2 g IV (immediately and q8 hours x 3 total doses)[2]
  • Cephalosporin allergy: clindamycin 900 mg IV (immediately and q8 hours x 3 total doses)[2]

Grade III Fracture Options

  • Ceftriaxone 2 g IV (immediately x 1 total dose) PLUS vancomycin 1 g IV (immediately and q12 hours x 2 total doses)[2]
  • Cephalosporin allergy: aztreonam 2 g IV (immediately and q8 hours x 3) PLUS vancomycin 1 g IV (immediately and q12 hours x 2 total doses)[2]

Special Considerations

Osteomyelitis

Risk Factor Likely Organism Initial Empiric Antibiotic Therapy'
Elderly, hematogenous spread MRSA, MSSA, gram neg Vancomycin 1gm + (Piperacillin/Tazobactam 3.375 grams OR imipenem 500mg)
Sickle Cell Disease Salmonella, gram-negative bacteria Ceftriaxone 50mg/kg IV once daily OR Cefotaxime 50mg/kg IV three times daily, PLUS
  • Vancomycin 15mg/kg IV four times daily OR
  • Clindamycin 10mg/kg IV PO four times daily OR
  • Nafcillin 50 mg/kg IV four times daily to cover K. Kingae (common in daycare population)
DM or vascular insufficiency Polymicrobial: Staph, strep, coliforms, anaerobes Vancomycin 1gm + (Piperacillin/Tazobactam 3.375 grams OR imipenem 500mg)
IV drug user MRSA, MSSA, pseudomonas Vancomycin 1gm 
Newborn MRSA, MSSA, GBS, Gram Negative Vancomycin 15mg/kg load, then reduce dose, AND ceftazidime 30mg/kg IV q12 h
Children MRSA, MSSA Vancomycin 10mg/kg q6 h AND ceftazidime 50mg/kg q8hr
Postoperative (ortho) MRSA, MSSA Vancomycin 1gm
Human bite Strep, anaerobes, HACEK organism Piperacillin/Tazobactam 3.375gm OR imipenem 500mg
Animal bites Pasteurella, Eikenella, HACEK organism Piperacillin/Tazobactam 3.375gm OR imipenem 500mg
Foot puncture wound Pseudomonas Anti-pseudomonal, staph coverage

Septic Arthritis

For adults treatment should be divided into Gonococcal and Non-Gonococcal

Gonococcal

Non-Gonococcal

Pediatrics

Sickle Cell

Coverage for Salmonella and Staphylococcus spp

  • Vancomycin 20mg/kg IV twice daily PLUS
    • Ciprofloxacin 400mg IV three times daily OR
    • Imipenem/cilastatin 1g IV three times daily

Septic Bursitis

Cover Staphylococcus aureus (80-90%) and Streptococcus

Outpatient Options

Treatment followup with primary physician is important since the regimen may need extension to 3 weeks.

Inpatient Options

  • Vancomycin 25-30 mg/kg IV loading then 15-20 mg/kg IV OR
  • Clindamycin 600 mg (10/mg/kg) IV three times daily
  • Linezolid 600 mg IV BID (10mg/kg Q8hrs for pediatrics)

See Also

Antibiotics by diagnosis

For antibiotics by organism see Microbiology (Main)

References

  1. Gosselin RA, et al. Antibiotics for preventing infection in open limb fractures. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004; (1):CD003764.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Garner MR, et al. Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Open Fractures: Evidence, Evolving Issues, and Recommendations. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. April 15, 2020. 28(8):309-315
  3. HoffWS, Bonadies JA, Cachecho R, Dorlac WC: East practice management guidelines work group: Update to practice management guidelines for prophylactic antibiotic use in open fractures. J Trauma 2011;70:751-754.