Table 3 Definition of microbiological cure

Documented microbiologic eradication

Elimination of the putative pathogen from repeated cultures of the site of infection

Presumed microbiologic eradication

Disappearance of acute signs and symptoms related to the infection and no culture results available

Documented microbiologic persistence

Persistence of the original pathogen from the original site of infection

Presumed microbiologic persistence

Clinical failure and no culture results from the site of infection available

Relapse

After initial eradication, isolation of a pathogen from the original site of infection within 14 days of randomisation

Superinfection

Clinical failure or improvement and isolation of a pathogen not present at baseline

Colonisation

Acquisition of yeast or bacteria not associated with features of infection

Indeterminate

Any patients who could not be classified into one of the forementioned definitions