The Approach and Treatment of Antimicrobial Resistant Skin Infections

The approach and treatment of antimicrobial resistant skin infections

Treatment aims:
• Cure infection and prevent recurrence
• Limit development, carriage and spread of AMR

How achieved:
• Identify, treat/manage underlying disease
• Early AMR identification
• Appropriate therapy; client education and compliance
• Regular follow-up
• Barrier precautions

Is a systemic antibiotic needed (or possible)?
Topical therapy:
• All cases of bacterial overgrowth and otitis, including MDR Pseudomonas
• Used successfully as sole therapy in cases of canine superficial folliculitis
• Adjunct therapy to systemic treatment to reduce time to cure.
• Regular/intermittent treatment to prevent recurrence. Treat 2-3 times weekly until stable, then 1-2 times weekly for maintenance. Other products e.g. sprays/wet-wipes may be used more frequently and improve compliance. A recent review of topical therapies found good evidence to use 2-3% chlorhexidine or 2% chlorhexidine + 2% miconazole shampoo, and lesser evidence for benzoyl peroxide shampoo to treat canine skin infections. […]