Which class of antibiotics works best for Legionnaires disease?
How is Legionnaires’ disease treated? Many antibiotics are highly effective against Legionella bacteria. The two most potent classes of antibiotic are the macrolides (azithromycin), and the quinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gemifloxacin, trovofloxacin).
Can Legionnaires be treated with antibiotics?
Legionnaires’ disease requires treatment with antibiotics and most cases of this illness can be treated successfully. Healthy people usually get better after being sick with Legionnaires’ disease, but they often need care in the hospital.
How long do you take antibiotics for Legionnaires disease?
The recommended duration of therapy is 5-10 days if azithromycin is used. If other drugs are used, the duration should be 2-3 weeks. For patients with severe disease or immunocompromise, prolonged courses may be required.
What treatment would you recommend for Legionnaires disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is treated with antibiotics. The sooner therapy is started, the less likely the chance of developing serious complications. In many cases, treatment requires hospitalization.
Does Cipro cover Legionella?
Monotherapy with ciprofloxacin has been described to be clinically effective in 80% (8/10) of critically ill or immunocompromised patients with community- and nosocomially-acquired Legionnaires’ disease (197).
What antibiotic kills Legionella?
Treatment for Legionnaires’ Disease There are three major classes of antibiotics that are highly active in vitro against Legionella bacteria: fluoroquinolones (e.g., levofloxacin, moxifloxacin); macrolides (e.g., erythromycin, azithromycin); and tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline) (TABLE 4).
Does amoxicillin cover Legionella?
However, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and amoxicillin (132) were less active than the macrolides against the non-pneumophila Legionella species (Tables 1, 2).
What is the best antibiotic for Legionella pneumonia?
Macrolides and fluoroquinolones should be the drugs of choice for the treatment of established Legionellosis. Oral macrolides should be prefered in patients with mild to moderate pneumonia; within the macrolides, azithromycin has the most favourable profile of activity.