[Current role of aminoglycosides in the treatment of acute pyelonephritis]

Abstract

In view of the very great efficacy of 3rd generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones used as monotherapy in the treatment of uncomplicated acute pyelonephritis, the addition of an aminoglycoside is not currently recommended, because of the unfavourable balance of the advantages and disadvantages of this antibiotic class. However, a brief course of aminoglycosides may nevertheless be useful during the initial phase of treatment, especially in hospitalised subjects. The authors analyse the contribution of three recently published studies to this debate.