The postantibiotic effect

Abstract

A large amount of new information about the PAE has been generated over the past 15 yr. We know how the presence or absence of a PAE varies for different antibiotics and micro-organisms. We also know how its duration is altered by concentration, exposure time, and environmental conditions. Studies in animals demonstrate clearly that the PAE can be an important determinant of the optimal dosing frequency for different antibiotics. However, application of these findings to the treatment of infections in humans has been slow. The clinical success of once-daily dosing of amino-glycosides in initial trials suggests that the PAE does have clinical importance. Whether its presence will allow other antimicrobial agents to be dosed less frequently in the future can only be demonstrated in further clinical trials. © 1991.