Intra-abdominal infections: considerations for the use of the carbapenems

Intra-abdominal infection remains a common and frequently severe medical condition, carrying with it significant morbidity and mortality. These infections are almost always polymicrobial in nature as they are caused by mixed aerobic/anaerobic intestinal flora. Despite substantial improvements in both the medical and surgical management of these infections over the last several decades, there remains an opportunity to further enhance the utilization of adjunctive antibiotic therapy. As a result of the epidemiology and the current resistance profile of the infecting pathogens, the carbapenems represent a class of antibiotics that are considered appropriate for the treatment of severe intra-abdominal infections. This review will discuss the classification and microbiology of these infections and emerging resistance in the pathogens of interest. The review also and focuses on the role of the carbapenems in the management of the constellation of diseases known as intra-abdominal infection.