Use of Antibiotics in Poisonous Ingestions of Corrosives and Organophosphates: A Retrospective Cohort Study

The use of antibiotics following oral poisoning by corrosives and organophosphates is controversial. We assessed the clinical outcomes of using antibiotics in acute poisonous ingestion involving corrosives or organophosphates by conducting a retrospective cohort study of patients presenting to the emergency department following ingestion of corrosives or organophosphates who received either antibiotics or supportive care. The endpoints included clinical stability, length of stay (LOS), and mortality. Of 95 patients, 40 received antibiotics and 55 received supportive care. The median age was 2.1 and 2.7 years, respectively (p = 0.053). Bacterial growth was shown in only 2 of 28 cultures (both were respiratory), but with hospital-acquired organisms as it was shown ≥4 days post-admission. Clinical stability rates were 60% and 89.1% in the antibiotic and supportive care groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Median LOS was 3 vs. 0 days (p < 0.001), and no mortality was recorded. NG/G-tube placement was the only factor associated with clinical failure (OR, 20.97; 95% CI, 2.36–186.13). Antibiotic use was not associated with higher chances of clinical stability, which may suggest that their use was unnecessary. Clinicians are encouraged to use antibiotics wisely, and only in the presence of a clear indication of an infection. This study provides a basis for future prospective studies to confirm its findings.