Gut check: antimicrobial stewardship opportunities in intra-abdominal infections

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.