# Gut check: antimicrobial stewardship opportunities in intra-abdominal infections

## TL;DR

This paper explores how antimicrobial stewardship can improve treatment of gut infections by focusing on better antibiotic use and collaboration with surgeons.

## Contribution

The paper highlights five key areas in intra-abdominal infections where antimicrobial stewardship can make a significant impact.

## Key findings

- Antimicrobial stewardship can help reduce unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotic use in intra-abdominal infections.
- Optimal dosing of amoxicillin-clavulanate and metronidazole is an important area for stewardship programs.
- Collaboration with surgical teams can improve antibiotic practices in treating gut infections.

## Abstract

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are common in both the inpatient and outpatient setting but are not often a target for antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP). However, IAIs provide ASPs an opportunity to translate evidence into practice while also addressing empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic use and establishing relationships with surgical stakeholders. In this review, we analyze five areas of emerging evidence within this heterogeneous field that merit close attention from ASPs, including spontaneous bacterial peritonitis prophylaxis, antibiotic management of appendicitis and biliary tract infections, and optimal amoxicillin-clavulanate and metronidazole dosing.