Table 6.

Recommended Antimicrobial Agents by Pathogen

IndicationFirst ChoiceAlternativeComments/Considerations
Bacteriaa
 CampylobacterAzithromycinCiprofloxacin
 Clostridium difficileOral vancomycinFidaxomicinFidaxomicin not currently recommended for people <18 years of age. Metronidazole is still acceptable treatment for nonsevere CDI in children and as a second-line agent for adults with nonsevere CDI (eg, who cannot obtain vancomycin or fidaxomicin at a reasonable cost).
Nontyphoidal Salmonella entericabUsually not indicated for uncomplicated infectionNAAntimicrobial therapy should be considered for groups at increased risk for invasive infection: neonates (up to 3 months old), persons >50 years old with suspected atherosclerosis, persons with immunosuppression, cardiac disease (valvular or endovascular), or significant joint disease. If susceptible, treatment with ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, TMP-SMX, or amoxicillin.
 Salmonella enterica Typhi or ParatyphibCeftriaxone or ciprofloxacinAmpicillin or TMP-SMX or azithromycin
 Shigella  aAzithromycinc or ciprofloxacina, or ceftriaxoneTMP-SMX or ampicillin if susceptibleClinicians treating people with shigellosis for whom antibiotic treatment is indicated should avoid prescribing fluoroquinolones if the ciprofloxacin MIC is 0.12 μg/ mL or higher even if the laboratory report identifies the isolate as susceptible. See https://emergency. cdc.gov/han/han00401.asp
 Vibrio choleraeDoxycyclinedCiprofloxacin, azithromycin, or ceftriaxone
Non–Vibrio choleraedUsually not indicated for noninvasive disease. Single-agent therapy for noninvasive disease if treated.
Invasive disease: ceftriaxone plus doxycycline
Usually not indicated for noninvasive disease. Single-agent therapy for noninvasive disease if treated.
Invasive disease: TMP-SMX plus an aminoglycoside
 Yersinia enterocoliticaTMP-SMXCefotaxime or ciprofloxacin
Parasites
 Cryptosporidium sppNitazoxanide (HIV-uninfected, HIV-infected in combination with effective cART):Effective cART:
Immune reconstitution may lead to microbiologic and clinical response [154, 209, 210]
NA
 Cyclospora cayetanensisTMP-SMXNitazoxanide (limited data)Patients with HIV infection may require higher doses or longer durations of TMP-SMX treatment
 Giardia lamblia• Tinidazole
Note: Based on data from HIV-uninfected children
• Nitazoxanide
Metronidazole
Note: Based on data from HIV- uninfected children
• Tinidazole is approved in the United States for children aged ≥3 years. It is available in tablets that can be crushed.
• Metronidazole has high frequency of gastrointestinal side effects. A pediatric suspension of metronidazole is not commercially available but can be compounded from tablets. Metronidazole is not FDA approved for the treatment of giardiasis.
 Cystoisospora belliTMP-SMXPyrimethamine
Potential second-line alternatives:
• Ciprofloxacin
• Nitazoxanide
 Trichinella sppAlbendazoleAlternative: mebendazole• Therapy less effective in late stage of infection, when larvae encapsulate in muscle
Fungus
MicrosporidiaFor disseminated (not ocular) and intestinal infection attributed to microsporidia other than Enterocytozoon bieneusi or Vittaforma corneae:
• Albendazole after initiation of cART and resolution of signs and symptoms
For E. bieneusi or V. corneae infections:
• Fumagillin recommended for treatment of infections due to E. bieneusi in HIV-infected adults
NAEffective cART therapy:
• Immune reconstitution may lead to microbiologic and clinical response
• Fumagillin for systemic use is unavailable in the United States and data on dosing in children are unavailable.
• Consultation with an expert is recommended.
IndicationFirst ChoiceAlternativeComments/Considerations
Bacteriaa
 CampylobacterAzithromycinCiprofloxacin
 Clostridium difficileOral vancomycinFidaxomicinFidaxomicin not currently recommended for people <18 years of age. Metronidazole is still acceptable treatment for nonsevere CDI in children and as a second-line agent for adults with nonsevere CDI (eg, who cannot obtain vancomycin or fidaxomicin at a reasonable cost).
Nontyphoidal Salmonella entericabUsually not indicated for uncomplicated infectionNAAntimicrobial therapy should be considered for groups at increased risk for invasive infection: neonates (up to 3 months old), persons >50 years old with suspected atherosclerosis, persons with immunosuppression, cardiac disease (valvular or endovascular), or significant joint disease. If susceptible, treatment with ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, TMP-SMX, or amoxicillin.
 Salmonella enterica Typhi or ParatyphibCeftriaxone or ciprofloxacinAmpicillin or TMP-SMX or azithromycin
 Shigella  aAzithromycinc or ciprofloxacina, or ceftriaxoneTMP-SMX or ampicillin if susceptibleClinicians treating people with shigellosis for whom antibiotic treatment is indicated should avoid prescribing fluoroquinolones if the ciprofloxacin MIC is 0.12 μg/ mL or higher even if the laboratory report identifies the isolate as susceptible. See https://emergency. cdc.gov/han/han00401.asp
 Vibrio choleraeDoxycyclinedCiprofloxacin, azithromycin, or ceftriaxone
Non–Vibrio choleraedUsually not indicated for noninvasive disease. Single-agent therapy for noninvasive disease if treated.
Invasive disease: ceftriaxone plus doxycycline
Usually not indicated for noninvasive disease. Single-agent therapy for noninvasive disease if treated.
Invasive disease: TMP-SMX plus an aminoglycoside
 Yersinia enterocoliticaTMP-SMXCefotaxime or ciprofloxacin
Parasites
 Cryptosporidium sppNitazoxanide (HIV-uninfected, HIV-infected in combination with effective cART):Effective cART:
Immune reconstitution may lead to microbiologic and clinical response [154, 209, 210]
NA
 Cyclospora cayetanensisTMP-SMXNitazoxanide (limited data)Patients with HIV infection may require higher doses or longer durations of TMP-SMX treatment
 Giardia lamblia• Tinidazole
Note: Based on data from HIV-uninfected children
• Nitazoxanide
Metronidazole
Note: Based on data from HIV- uninfected children
• Tinidazole is approved in the United States for children aged ≥3 years. It is available in tablets that can be crushed.
• Metronidazole has high frequency of gastrointestinal side effects. A pediatric suspension of metronidazole is not commercially available but can be compounded from tablets. Metronidazole is not FDA approved for the treatment of giardiasis.
 Cystoisospora belliTMP-SMXPyrimethamine
Potential second-line alternatives:
• Ciprofloxacin
• Nitazoxanide
 Trichinella sppAlbendazoleAlternative: mebendazole• Therapy less effective in late stage of infection, when larvae encapsulate in muscle
Fungus
MicrosporidiaFor disseminated (not ocular) and intestinal infection attributed to microsporidia other than Enterocytozoon bieneusi or Vittaforma corneae:
• Albendazole after initiation of cART and resolution of signs and symptoms
For E. bieneusi or V. corneae infections:
• Fumagillin recommended for treatment of infections due to E. bieneusi in HIV-infected adults
NAEffective cART therapy:
• Immune reconstitution may lead to microbiologic and clinical response
• Fumagillin for systemic use is unavailable in the United States and data on dosing in children are unavailable.
• Consultation with an expert is recommended.

Abbreviations: cART, combination antiretroviral therapy; CDI, Clostridium difficile infection; FDA, US Food and Drug Administration; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; MIC, minimum inhibitory concentration; NA, not applicable; TMP-SMX, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

aFor information on susceptibility patterns in the United States, see the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS; http://www.cdc.gov/narms). Susceptibility testing should be considered when a therapeutic agent is selected.

bIf invasive disease is suspected or confirmed, ceftriaxone is preferred over ciprofloxacin due to increasing resistance to ciprofloxacin.cMost clinical laboratories do not test for azithromycin susceptibility.

dPrimary therapy is aggressive rehydration; antibiotics are adjunctive therapy.

Table 6.

Recommended Antimicrobial Agents by Pathogen

IndicationFirst ChoiceAlternativeComments/Considerations
Bacteriaa
 CampylobacterAzithromycinCiprofloxacin
 Clostridium difficileOral vancomycinFidaxomicinFidaxomicin not currently recommended for people <18 years of age. Metronidazole is still acceptable treatment for nonsevere CDI in children and as a second-line agent for adults with nonsevere CDI (eg, who cannot obtain vancomycin or fidaxomicin at a reasonable cost).
Nontyphoidal Salmonella entericabUsually not indicated for uncomplicated infectionNAAntimicrobial therapy should be considered for groups at increased risk for invasive infection: neonates (up to 3 months old), persons >50 years old with suspected atherosclerosis, persons with immunosuppression, cardiac disease (valvular or endovascular), or significant joint disease. If susceptible, treatment with ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, TMP-SMX, or amoxicillin.
 Salmonella enterica Typhi or ParatyphibCeftriaxone or ciprofloxacinAmpicillin or TMP-SMX or azithromycin
 Shigella  aAzithromycinc or ciprofloxacina, or ceftriaxoneTMP-SMX or ampicillin if susceptibleClinicians treating people with shigellosis for whom antibiotic treatment is indicated should avoid prescribing fluoroquinolones if the ciprofloxacin MIC is 0.12 μg/ mL or higher even if the laboratory report identifies the isolate as susceptible. See https://emergency. cdc.gov/han/han00401.asp
 Vibrio choleraeDoxycyclinedCiprofloxacin, azithromycin, or ceftriaxone
Non–Vibrio choleraedUsually not indicated for noninvasive disease. Single-agent therapy for noninvasive disease if treated.
Invasive disease: ceftriaxone plus doxycycline
Usually not indicated for noninvasive disease. Single-agent therapy for noninvasive disease if treated.
Invasive disease: TMP-SMX plus an aminoglycoside
 Yersinia enterocoliticaTMP-SMXCefotaxime or ciprofloxacin
Parasites
 Cryptosporidium sppNitazoxanide (HIV-uninfected, HIV-infected in combination with effective cART):Effective cART:
Immune reconstitution may lead to microbiologic and clinical response [154, 209, 210]
NA
 Cyclospora cayetanensisTMP-SMXNitazoxanide (limited data)Patients with HIV infection may require higher doses or longer durations of TMP-SMX treatment
 Giardia lamblia• Tinidazole
Note: Based on data from HIV-uninfected children
• Nitazoxanide
Metronidazole
Note: Based on data from HIV- uninfected children
• Tinidazole is approved in the United States for children aged ≥3 years. It is available in tablets that can be crushed.
• Metronidazole has high frequency of gastrointestinal side effects. A pediatric suspension of metronidazole is not commercially available but can be compounded from tablets. Metronidazole is not FDA approved for the treatment of giardiasis.
 Cystoisospora belliTMP-SMXPyrimethamine
Potential second-line alternatives:
• Ciprofloxacin
• Nitazoxanide
 Trichinella sppAlbendazoleAlternative: mebendazole• Therapy less effective in late stage of infection, when larvae encapsulate in muscle
Fungus
MicrosporidiaFor disseminated (not ocular) and intestinal infection attributed to microsporidia other than Enterocytozoon bieneusi or Vittaforma corneae:
• Albendazole after initiation of cART and resolution of signs and symptoms
For E. bieneusi or V. corneae infections:
• Fumagillin recommended for treatment of infections due to E. bieneusi in HIV-infected adults
NAEffective cART therapy:
• Immune reconstitution may lead to microbiologic and clinical response
• Fumagillin for systemic use is unavailable in the United States and data on dosing in children are unavailable.
• Consultation with an expert is recommended.
IndicationFirst ChoiceAlternativeComments/Considerations
Bacteriaa
 CampylobacterAzithromycinCiprofloxacin
 Clostridium difficileOral vancomycinFidaxomicinFidaxomicin not currently recommended for people <18 years of age. Metronidazole is still acceptable treatment for nonsevere CDI in children and as a second-line agent for adults with nonsevere CDI (eg, who cannot obtain vancomycin or fidaxomicin at a reasonable cost).
Nontyphoidal Salmonella entericabUsually not indicated for uncomplicated infectionNAAntimicrobial therapy should be considered for groups at increased risk for invasive infection: neonates (up to 3 months old), persons >50 years old with suspected atherosclerosis, persons with immunosuppression, cardiac disease (valvular or endovascular), or significant joint disease. If susceptible, treatment with ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, TMP-SMX, or amoxicillin.
 Salmonella enterica Typhi or ParatyphibCeftriaxone or ciprofloxacinAmpicillin or TMP-SMX or azithromycin
 Shigella  aAzithromycinc or ciprofloxacina, or ceftriaxoneTMP-SMX or ampicillin if susceptibleClinicians treating people with shigellosis for whom antibiotic treatment is indicated should avoid prescribing fluoroquinolones if the ciprofloxacin MIC is 0.12 μg/ mL or higher even if the laboratory report identifies the isolate as susceptible. See https://emergency. cdc.gov/han/han00401.asp
 Vibrio choleraeDoxycyclinedCiprofloxacin, azithromycin, or ceftriaxone
Non–Vibrio choleraedUsually not indicated for noninvasive disease. Single-agent therapy for noninvasive disease if treated.
Invasive disease: ceftriaxone plus doxycycline
Usually not indicated for noninvasive disease. Single-agent therapy for noninvasive disease if treated.
Invasive disease: TMP-SMX plus an aminoglycoside
 Yersinia enterocoliticaTMP-SMXCefotaxime or ciprofloxacin
Parasites
 Cryptosporidium sppNitazoxanide (HIV-uninfected, HIV-infected in combination with effective cART):Effective cART:
Immune reconstitution may lead to microbiologic and clinical response [154, 209, 210]
NA
 Cyclospora cayetanensisTMP-SMXNitazoxanide (limited data)Patients with HIV infection may require higher doses or longer durations of TMP-SMX treatment
 Giardia lamblia• Tinidazole
Note: Based on data from HIV-uninfected children
• Nitazoxanide
Metronidazole
Note: Based on data from HIV- uninfected children
• Tinidazole is approved in the United States for children aged ≥3 years. It is available in tablets that can be crushed.
• Metronidazole has high frequency of gastrointestinal side effects. A pediatric suspension of metronidazole is not commercially available but can be compounded from tablets. Metronidazole is not FDA approved for the treatment of giardiasis.
 Cystoisospora belliTMP-SMXPyrimethamine
Potential second-line alternatives:
• Ciprofloxacin
• Nitazoxanide
 Trichinella sppAlbendazoleAlternative: mebendazole• Therapy less effective in late stage of infection, when larvae encapsulate in muscle
Fungus
MicrosporidiaFor disseminated (not ocular) and intestinal infection attributed to microsporidia other than Enterocytozoon bieneusi or Vittaforma corneae:
• Albendazole after initiation of cART and resolution of signs and symptoms
For E. bieneusi or V. corneae infections:
• Fumagillin recommended for treatment of infections due to E. bieneusi in HIV-infected adults
NAEffective cART therapy:
• Immune reconstitution may lead to microbiologic and clinical response
• Fumagillin for systemic use is unavailable in the United States and data on dosing in children are unavailable.
• Consultation with an expert is recommended.

Abbreviations: cART, combination antiretroviral therapy; CDI, Clostridium difficile infection; FDA, US Food and Drug Administration; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; MIC, minimum inhibitory concentration; NA, not applicable; TMP-SMX, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

aFor information on susceptibility patterns in the United States, see the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS; http://www.cdc.gov/narms). Susceptibility testing should be considered when a therapeutic agent is selected.

bIf invasive disease is suspected or confirmed, ceftriaxone is preferred over ciprofloxacin due to increasing resistance to ciprofloxacin.cMost clinical laboratories do not test for azithromycin susceptibility.

dPrimary therapy is aggressive rehydration; antibiotics are adjunctive therapy.

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