Guidelines for the Selection of Anti-infective Agents for Complicated Intra-abdominal Infections

These guidelines, from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the Surgical Infection Society, the American Society for Microbiology, and the Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists, contain evidence-based recommendations for selection of antimicrobial therapy for adult patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections. Complicated intra-abdominal infections extend beyond the hollow viscus of origin into the peritoneal space and are associated either with abscess formation or with peritonitis. These guidelines also address timing of initiation of antibiotic therapy, when and what to culture, modification of therapy based on culture results, and duration of therapy.