When microbiology is missing: A prospective observational study on empirical first-line antibiotic treatment (FLAT) in Ethiopia
In a low-resource hospital setting without microbiological support, empirical FLAT achieved a relatively low failure rate. However, failures were clinically significant, leading to escalation of therapy and adverse outcomes. Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship through context-specific empirical treatment protocols, alongside efforts to improve diagnostic capacity, is essential to optimise patient care and mitigate AMR in similar settings.
Authors
- Giovanni Putoto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0256-1744)
- Ottavia Tulone
- Abdi Reta
- Yordanos Tafesse
- Roberto Benoni (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1144-8471)
- Flavio Bobbio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8850-8543)
- V. Barbieri
- Angela Acquasanta
- Giacomo Guido (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8783-7221)
- Birhanu Kenate (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0326-5971)
- Gerlind Schuldt
- Francesco Vladimiro Segala (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5276-2603)
- Annalisa Saracino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9558-208X)
- Francesco Di Gennaro (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3453-5647)
- Sergio Cotugno (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8867-5911)
- Fabio Manenti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6967-6813)
- Mendonca Teresa
- Tujube Dilba
- Abishe Fikru
- Behranu Gulo
Institutions
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (IT)
- Ospedale Sant Antonio (IT)
- St. Luke's Hospital (US)
- Doctors with Africa Cuamm (IT)
- Ospedale Madonna Delle Grazie (IT)
- Presidio Ospedaliero (IT)
- Oromiyaa Regional Health Bureau (ET)
- University of Rostock (DE)
- University of Bari Aldo Moro (IT)
- University of Palermo (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Acta Tropica
- Published
- 2025-10-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2025.107880
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Antibiotic Use and Resistance
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.26