In this open, prospective, study were enrolled 204 hospitalized elderly @entity1 with severe (88 males, 116 females, age range 70-94). @entity1 were randomized to receive one of the following antibiotic treatment regimens: @entity2889 500 mg i.v. t.i.d. (52); @entity2892 / @entity9234 500 mg i.v. t.i.d. (51), @entity4581 500 mg + @entity2756 1 g i.v. b.i.d. (52), @entity4581 500 mg + @entity4509 250 mg i.v. b.i.d. (49). In 99 cases causative germs were isolated (24 @entity2889 , 26 @entity2892 , 23 @entity4581 + @entity2756 , 26 @entity2756 + @entity4509 ). A satisfactory clinical, bacteriological response was achieved respectively in 86.5% 77% in @entity2889 ; 86.3% 71% in @entity2892 / @entity9234 ; 69% 61% in @entity2756 + @entity4581 and in 85.7% 77% in @entity4581 + @entity4509 . The mean total cost for each @entity1 was  1,560;  1,620;  1,760 and  1,792 in @entity2889 , @entity2892 / @entity9234 , @entity4581 + @entity2756 and @entity4581 + @entity4509 respectively. This study shows that treatment with either @entity2889 or @entity2892 is as efficacious as conventional therapy in the treatment of @entity497 ( @entity497 ), and that @entity2889 is the most cost-effective.

Carbapenems in the treatment of severe XXXX -acquired pneumonia in hospitalized elderly @entity1 : a comparative study against standard therapy.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients', 'patient'] @entity2756 :: ('MESH:D002443', 'Chemical') :: ['ceftriaxone'] @entity2892 :: ('MESH:D015378', 'Chemical') :: ['imipenem'] @entity4581 :: ('MESH:D017291', 'Chemical') :: ['clarithromycin'] @entity9234 :: ('MESH:D015377', 'Chemical') :: ['cilastatin'] @entity2889 :: ('MESH:C059500', 'Chemical') :: ['meropenem'] @entity4509 :: ('MESH:D000583', 'Chemical') :: ['amikacin'] @entity497 :: ('MESH:D003147', 'Disease') :: ['CAP', 'community acquired pneumonia']
@entity497 :: (MESH:D003147,Disease) :: ['community']
