What's new in the treatment of multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections?

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2019 Feb;93(2):171-181. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2018.08.007. Epub 2018 Aug 30.

Abstract

Eradicating multi-drug resistant (MDR) organisms has been a major challenge in healthcare settings worldwide. Newly approved drugs and those currently in the pipeline may have a promising solution to this issue. The purposes of this review are to describe the various resistance mechanisms of Gram-negative bacteria and to provide a summary of the current literature available on the newer agents, such as ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam, meropenem/vaborbactam, and other emerging agents used for the treatment of MDR Gram-negative infections. Given that MDR organisms confer resistance to treatment by various methods, including enzymatic degradation, efflux pumps, and porin mutation, an understanding of mechanisms of bacterial resistance combined with information on newer antimicrobial agents against MDR Gram-negative bacteria will further assist clinicians in determining the best suitable therapy for the treatment of various complicated infections.

Keywords: Antimicrobial drug resistance; Carbapenemase; Gram-negative bacteria; Multi-drug resistant; New drug.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections* / drug therapy
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections* / microbiology
  • Humans

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents