CONTENTS Preface a Introduction b 1. Interrelationship of pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics: 1 antibiotic dosing for the future G.W. Amsden 2. Intrapulmonary penetration of antimicrobials and implications in the 13 treatment of lower respiratory tract infections M. Cazzola, G. D'Amato, M.G. Matera 3. Interaction of antibacterial agents with host respiratory defences 45 M.T. Labro 4. β-lactams and the lung 64 S. Gatermann, T.T. Bauer 5. Macrolides and lower respiratory tract infections 78 J. Dorca, S. Padrones, F. Manresa 6. Fluoroquinolones and lower respiratory tract infections 94 A. Kuhnke, H. Lode 7. Treatment of difficult Gram-positive infections 113 R. Cosentini, P. Tarsia, M. Cazzola, F. Blasi 8. The impact of antibiotic resistance in the management of lower 131 respiratory tract infections G.C. Schito, A. Marchese 9. Lower respiratory tract infections: when are antibiotics mandatory? 146 L.A. Mandell 10. Epidemiological impact of antibiotic use/misuse in the community 165 T. Welte 11. Antibiotics and new guidelines for the treatment of lower respiratory 175 tract infections G. Di Maria, L. Spicuzza, R. Polosa 12. Are antibiotics useful in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis? 189 F. Blasi, L. Allegra The European Respiratory Monograph Number 28 April 2004 Contents MON 28.qxd 30/7/09 10:16 Page 1