Program Overview
Community-acquired infections that require hospitalization, such as skin and skin structure infections (SSSI), community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI), are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Because the epidemiology and resistance patterns of the causative pathogens vary over time and between regions, physicians need updated information on managing these infections. The proper selection of antimicrobial therapy can improve outcomes and reduce the emergence of resistant bacterial strains. The first presentation in this symposium will describe recent changes in the bacterial etiology of SSSI (including MRSA), the available treatment options, and strategies to reduce antimicrobial resistance. The next lecture will focus on individualizing therapy for hospitalized CAP patients based on various clinical and microbial characteristics, and will outline the most recent treatment guidelines. The last presentation will review the management of cIAI according to current guidelines. It will also include a discussion of newer therapeutic options for cIAI.

Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants should be better able to:

• Distinguish between the treatment options for SSSI caused by susceptible and nonsusceptible organisms
  
  
• Describe the main principles of optimizing empiric antimicrobial therapy in the management of CAP
  
  
• List the various antimicrobial regimens recommended for the treatment of cIAI based on the available guidelines and recent
  clinical trials
  
  
• Discuss prophylactic and therapeutic measures that may help limit the development of antimicrobial resistance

Agenda