Which antibiotic is used to treat both strep and anaerobes effectively?

Piperacillin is an antibiotic that is particularly effective against a wide range of bacteria, including Streptococcus species and anaerobic bacteria. It belongs to the penicillin class and is often used in serious infections due to its broad-spectrum activity. Piperacillin works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis, leading to cell lysis and death.

One of its key advantages is the ability to combat polymicrobial infections, which often include both aerobic and anaerobic organisms, making it a preferred choice in the treatment of infections such as aspiration pneumonia or intra-abdominal infections where mixed flora are likely present. Additionally, its effectiveness against Streptococcus demonstrates its utility in community-acquired and hospital-acquired infections.

In contrast, other options like Aztreonam have a narrower spectrum primarily effective against Gram-negative bacteria and do not cover anaerobes. Clindamycin, while effective against anaerobes and certain Gram-positive organisms, does not provide comprehensive coverage for all Streptococcus species. Ciprofloxacin primarily targets Gram-negative bacteria and does not effectively treat anaerobic infections.

Thus, the broad activity of Piperacillin against both strep and anaerobes makes it the appropriate choice in this scenario.