Tigecycline and the need for a new broad-spectrum antibiotic class

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.

Data synthesis after review of pertinent English-language literature.

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.

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.