title: Ceftaroline fosamil: a new cephalosporin active against resistant Gram-positive organisms including MRSA.
abstract: The growing prevalence of resistant Gram-positive pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus continues to pose a dilemma to clinicians. With strains developing reduced susceptibility to vancomycin, effective and well-tolerated antibiotics to combat these resistant pathogens are needed. Ceftaroline is a new parenteral cephalosporin that has been available in the USA for almost 2 years. Similar to other cephalosporins, it is well tolerated with mostly mild adverse events; however, compared with existing parenteral cephalosporins, ceftaroline has the unique attribute of being bactericidal against resistant Gram-positive aerobes including both hospital- and community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus, S. aureus strains with reduced susceptibility or complete resistance to vancomycin, and resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae including multidrug-resistant strains. Current indications in the USA and Europe include treatment of adults with complicated skin, skin-structure infections and community-acquired pneumonia. This paper will review the properties of ceftaroline, its spectrum of activity, clinical use, safety profile and future role.
authors.affiliation: Washington State University College of Pharmacy, Spokane, WA 99210-1495, USA. garrism@wsu.edu
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Garrison
authors.forename: Nathan M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Kawamura
authors.forename: Mary M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Wen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy; D011817:Rabbits; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D000097583:Ceftaroline
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D000097583:Ceftaroline