title: Ertapenem for the treatment of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacterial infections.
abstract: Ertapenem is indicated for complicated intra-abdominal, skin and skin-structure, urinary tract and acute pelvic infections as well as community-acquired pneumonia, for which there are cheaper and more narrow-spectrum antibiotics. It is active against extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Gram-negative bacteria, but report of its clinical efficacy is lacking. We evaluated our experience with the use of ertapenem for ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacterial infections over 13 months. Forty-seven patients were treated with 50 courses of ertapenem. Thirty-nine courses were for ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacterial infections, 33% of which were bacteraemia. The clinical response rate was 92% and survival to hospital discharge was 94%. We propose that ertapenem has a role in the first-line treatment of these infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, 308433 Singapore.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: D C B
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D000077727:Ertapenem; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology*; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism*; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams; D001618:beta-Lactamases; D000077727:Ertapenem