Tigecycline and the need for a new broad-spectrum antibiotic class.
BACKGROUND
Lack of progress in developing new antimicrobials, particularly new classes, as opposed to variants of existing agents, has contributed to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.


METHODS
Data synthesis after review of pertinent English-language literature.


RESULTS
The development of new classes of antimicrobial agents is crucial, considering the increasing prevalence of nosocomial pathogens resistant to empiric as well as second- and third-line antibiotic choices. Tigecycline has recently been approved for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure as well as intra-abdominal infections. Published data on the in vitro and in vivo properties of tigecycline, the first-in-class glycylcycline, are reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
It is plausible that tigecycline could to some extent replace available broadspectrum agents for approved indications and thereby reduce the selective pressure for some currently prevalent multi-resistant pathogens in the hospital setting.
Wilcox
Mark H
MH
Infection Prevention & Control, Leeds General Infirmary & University of Leeds, Leeds, U.K. Mark.Wilcox@leedsth.nhs.uk
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D017277:Drug Approval; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D008911:Minocycline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D000078304:Tigecycline
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000078304:Tigecycline; D008911:Minocycline