eMedicine Specialties > Infectious Diseases > Bacterial Infections

Burkholderia: Treatment & Medication

Author: Burke A Cunha, MD, Professor of Medicine, State University of New York School of Medicine at Stony Brook; Chief, Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 14, 2008

Treatment

Medical Care

  • Patient-to-patient spread of B cepacia may be minimized and/or prevented with effective infection-control measures.
  • Use Foley catheters only as long as necessary. If possible, avoid their use in compromised hosts predisposed to urinary tract infections (eg, patients with diabetes, SLE, multiple myeloma).
  • Preventing B cepacia colonization of respiratory secretions in intubated patients who are in ICUs and on broad-spectrum antibiotics is difficult.

Consultations

  • Consultation with an infectious disease specialist helps to differentiate B cepacia colonization from infection.

Medication

Because B cepacia is almost always a colonizer, antimicrobial treatment is unnecessary and may be harmfulunless infection is proven.

B cepacia, as a nonaeruginosa pseudomonad, is usually resistant to aminoglycosides, antipseudomonal penicillins, and antipseudomonal third-generation cephalosporins.

B cepacia is often susceptible to trimethoprim plus sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), cefepime, meropenem, minocycline, and tigecycline and has varying susceptibility to fluoroquinolones.

Antibiotics

Empiric antimicrobial therapy must be comprehensive and should cover all likely pathogens in the context of the clinical setting.


Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim DS, Septra DS)

Inhibits bacterial growth by inhibiting synthesis of dihydrofolic acid. Antibacterial activity includes common urinary tract pathogens, except P aeruginosa.

Adult

160 mg TMP/800 mg SMX PO/IV q12h for 10-14 d

Pediatric

<2 months: Do not administer
>2 months: 15-20 mg TMP/kg/d PO tid/qid for 14 d

May increase PT when used with warfarin (perform coagulation tests and adjust dose accordingly); coadministration with dapsone may increase blood levels of both drugs; coadministration of diuretics increases incidence of thrombocytopenia purpura in elderly individuals; phenytoin levels may increase with coadministration; may potentiate effects of methotrexate in bone marrow depression; hypoglycemic response to sulfonylureas may increase with coadministration; may increase levels of zidovudine

Documented hypersensitivity; megaloblastic anemia due to folate deficiency

Pregnancy

C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Discontinue at first appearance of skin rash or sign of adverse reaction; obtain CBCs frequently; discontinue therapy if significant hematologic changes occur; goiter, diuresis, and hypoglycemia may occur with sulfonamides; prolonged IV infusions or high doses may cause bone marrow depression (if signs occur, administer 5-15 mg/d leucovorin); caution in folate deficiency (eg, individuals with chronic alcoholism, elderly individuals, those receiving anticonvulsant therapy, those with malabsorption syndrome); hemolysis may occur in individuals with G-6-PD deficiency; patients with AIDS may not tolerate or respond to TMP-SMZ; caution in renal or hepatic impairment (perform urinalyses and renal function tests during therapy); administer fluids to prevent crystalluria and stone formation


Cefepime (Maxipime)

Fourth-generation cephalosporin with good gram-negative coverage; similar to ceftazidime, but with better gram-positive coverage.

Adult

2 g IV q12h

Pediatric

50 mg/kg IV q8h

Probenecid at high doses may increase effects of cefepime; aminoglycosides increase the nephrotoxic potential of cefepime

Pregnancy

B - Fetal risk not confirmed in studies in humans but has been shown in some studies in animals

Precautions

Adjust dose in patients with severe renal insufficiency (high doses may cause CNS toxicity); prolonged use may predispose patients to superinfection


Tigecycline (Tygacil)

A glycylcycline antibiotic that is structurally similar to tetracycline antibiotics. Inhibits bacterial protein translation by binding to 30S ribosomal subunit and blocks entry of amino-acyl tRNA molecules in ribosome A site. Indicated for complicated skin and skin-structure infections caused by E coli, E faecalis (vancomycin-susceptible isolates only), S aureus (methicillin-susceptible and -resistant isolates), S agalactiae, S anginosus group (includes S anginosus, S intermedius, S constellatus), S pyogenes, and B fragilis.

Adult

Infuse each dose over 30-60 min
100 mg IV once, then 50 mg IV q12h
Severe hepatic impairment (ie, Child Pugh class C): 100 mg IV once, then 25 mg IV q12h

Pediatric

<18 years: Not established
>18 years: Administer as in adults

Coadministration decreases warfarin clearance and increases warfarin Cmax and AUC (monitor aPTT and INR); coadministration of antibiotics with oral contraceptives may decrease contraceptive effect

Pregnancy

D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Caution in severe hepatic impairment (reduce dose); may adversely effect tooth development; may permit clostridia overgrowth, resulting in antibiotic-associated colitis; may have adverse effects similar to tetracyclines (eg, photosensitivity, pseudotumor cerebri, pancreatitis, antianabolic action)


Meropenem (Merrem IV)

Semisynthetic carbapenem antibiotic that inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis. Effective against most gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Has slightly increased activity against gram-negative bacteria and slightly decreased activity against staphylococci and streptococci compared to imipenem.

Adult

1 g IV q8h

Pediatric

<10 years: Not established
>10 years: Administer as in adults

Probenecid may inhibit renal excretion of meropenem, increasing meropenem levels

Pregnancy

B - Fetal risk not confirmed in studies in humans but has been shown in some studies in animals

Precautions

Pseudomembranous colitis and thrombocytopenia may occur, requiring immediate discontinuation of medication; adjust dose in patients with renal impairment


Cefixime (Suprax)

Third-generation oral cephalosporin with broad activity against gram-negative bacteria. By binding to one or more of the penicillin-binding proteins, it arrests bacterial cell wall synthesis and inhibits bacterial growth.

Adult

400 mg/d PO qd or 200 mg q12h

Pediatric

<50 kg or <12 years: 8 mg/kg/d suspension PO qd or 4 mg/kg bid
>50 kg or >12 years: Administer as in adults

Coadministration of aminoglycosides increase nephrotoxicity; probenecid may increase effects of cefixime

Pregnancy

B - Fetal risk not confirmed in studies in humans but has been shown in some studies in animals

Precautions

Adjust dose in severe renal insufficiency (high doses may cause CNS toxicity); superinfections, and promotion of non-susceptible organisms may occur with prolonged use or repeated therapy


Minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin)

Treats infections caused by susceptible gram-negative and gram-positive organisms, in addition to infections caused by susceptible Chlamydia, Rickettsia, and Mycoplasma. Was found to be effective in some non-tuberculotic mycobacterial infections.

Adult

100 mg PO bid for 5-7 d

Pediatric

<8 years: Not recommended
>8 years: 4 mg/kg PO initially, followed with 2 mg/kg q12h

Bioavailability decreases with antacids containing aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron, or bismuth subsalicylate; can decrease effects of oral contraceptives, causing breakthrough bleeding and increased risk of pregnancy; tetracyclines can increase hypoprothrombinemic effects of anticoagulants

Documented hypersensitivity; severe hepatic dysfunction

Pregnancy

D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Photosensitivity may occur with prolonged exposure to sunlight or tanning equipment; reduce dose in renal impairment; consider drug serum level determinations in prolonged therapy; tetracycline use during tooth development (last one-half of pregnancy through age 8 y) can cause permanent discoloration of teeth; Fanconilike syndrome may occur with outdated tetracyclines; hepatitis or lupuslike syndromes may occur

More on Burkholderia

Overview: Burkholderia
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Burkholderia
Treatment & Medication: Burkholderia
Follow-up: Burkholderia
References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

Burkholderia infection , Burkholderia cepacia, B cepacia infection , B cepacia colonization, complex, Burkholderia cepacia complex , BCC, Burkholderia colonization, Burkholderia cepacia infection, Burkholderia cepacia colonization, nonaeruginosa pseudomonad, cystic fibrosis, Burkholderia pneumonia, Burkholderia bacteriuria, Burkholderia pseudobacteremia, Burkholderia cepacia pneumonia, B cepacia pneumonia

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Burke A Cunha, MD, Professor of Medicine, State University of New York School of Medicine at Stony Brook; Chief, Infectious Disease Division, Winthrop-University Hospital
Burke A Cunha, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, and Infectious Diseases Society of America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Charles S Levy, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Disease, George Washington University School of Medicine
Charles S Levy, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Medical Society of the District of Columbia
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Richard B Brown, MD, FACP, Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, Baystate Medical Center; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Richard B Brown, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Massachusetts Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD, Clinical and Research Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital
Eleftherios Mylonakis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Physicians, American Society for Microbiology, and Infectious Diseases Society of America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Michael Stuart Bronze, MD, Professor, Stewart G Wolf Chair in Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center
Michael Stuart Bronze, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Federation for Clinical Research, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, Association of Professors of Medicine, Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Oklahoma State Medical Association, and Southern Society for Clinical Investigation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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