Which antibiotics are commonly employed to cover Pseudomonas aeruginosa?

• A. Piperacillin-tazobactam
• B. Amoxicillin-clavulanate
• C. Erythromycin
• D. Doxycycline

Answer: (A)

Treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa requires an antibiotic with true antipseudomonal activity, often with a beta-lactamase inhibitor to broaden coverage. Piperacillin-tazobactam fits this need by pairing an antipseudomonal penicillin with tazobactam, which helps overcome certain beta-lactamase–mediated resistances and provides reliable coverage against Pseudomonas as well as many other gram-negative bacteria. In contrast, amoxicillin-clavulanate is typically used for less resistant organisms and does not reliably cover Pseudomonas; erythromycin has poor activity against Pseudomonas; and doxycycline is not dependable for pseudomonal infections. Hence, piperacillin-tazobactam is the best choice for covering Pseudomonas aeruginosa.