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In vitro activity of a novel ketolide ABT-773 against invasive strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae

K Weiss1, J de Azavedo, C Restieri

  • 1Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, University of Montreal, 5415 L'Assomption, Montreal, Quebec H1T 2M4, Canada. weisscan@aol.com

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|September 5, 2001
PubMed

Insights

New antibiotic ABT-773 shows strong activity against drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. This ketolide is effective against invasive strains, offering a promising option in the face of rising antibiotic resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health concern.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae causes invasive infections and exhibits resistance to existing antibiotics.
  • Ketolides represent a novel class of antibiotics with potential against resistant pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro activity of the new ketolide ABT-773.
  • To assess the susceptibility of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae strains to ABT-773.
  • To determine the efficacy of ABT-773 against antibiotic-resistant strains of S. pneumoniae.

Main Methods:

  • Testing of 704 invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae strains collected between 1990 and 1998.
  • Determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for ABT-773.
  • Evaluation of resistance mechanisms, including mef- and erm(B)-mediated resistance.

Main Results:

  • No strains showed reduced susceptibility to ABT-773 at a breakpoint of <0.5 mg/L.
  • ABT-773 demonstrated high activity against penicillin-resistant strains (MIC > 2 mg/L).
  • The compound was highly effective against all 33 erythromycin-resistant strains, regardless of resistance mechanism.

Conclusions:

  • ABT-773 is a highly active ketolide antibiotic.
  • It shows significant promise for treating invasive infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • ABT-773 is effective against multiresistant strains, addressing a critical need in infectious disease treatment.

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