Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
Quadruple-Checkerboard: A Modification of the Three-Dimensional Checkerboard for Studying Drug Combinations
Published on: July 24, 2021
Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections: the emerging threat and potential novel treatment options
Paschalis I Vergidis1, Matthew E Falagas
1Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences, 9 Neapoleos Street, 151 23 Marousi, Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
Gram-negative bacterial infections constitute an emerging threat because of the development of multidrug-resistant organisms. There is a relative shortage of new drugs in the antimicrobial development pipeline that have been tested in vitro and evaluated in clinical studies. Antibiotics that are in the pipeline for the treatment of serious Gram-negative bacterial infections include the cephalosporins, ceftobiprole, ceftarolin and FR-264205. Tigecycline is the first drug approved from a new class of antibiotics called glycylcyclines, and there has been renewed interest in this drug for the treatment of some multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms. Carbapenems in the pipeline include tomopenem, with the approved drugs doripenem and faropenem, an oral agent, under evaluation for activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. Polymyxins are old antibiotics traditionally considered to be toxic, but which are being used because of their activity against resistant Gram-negative organisms. New pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data are available regarding the use of these agents. Finally, antimicrobial peptides and efflux pump inhibitors are two new classes of agents under development. This review of investigational antibiotics shows that several new agents will become available in the coming years, even though the pace of antimicrobial research is far from ideal.
Insights
New antibiotics are emerging to combat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections, addressing a critical gap in treatment options. While research pace is slow, several promising investigational agents are nearing availability.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Gram-negative bacterial infections pose a growing threat due to multidrug-resistant organisms.
- There is a significant shortage of novel antimicrobial agents in development pipelines.
- Existing treatments face challenges from increasing resistance patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review investigational antibiotics for treating Gram-negative bacterial infections.
- To highlight emerging drug classes and agents in clinical development.
- To assess the current landscape of antimicrobial research for resistant Gram-negative pathogens.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific publications and clinical trial data.
- Analysis of antimicrobial agents in various stages of development.
- Evaluation of new drug classes including glycylcyclines, carbapenems, polymyxins, antimicrobial peptides, and efflux pump inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Several new antibiotics are in development, including cephalosporins (ceftobiprole, ceftarolin, FR-264205), glycylcyclines (tigecycline), carbapenems (tomopenem, doripenem, faropenem), and polymyxins.
- New classes such as antimicrobial peptides and efflux pump inhibitors are under investigation.
- Despite progress, the pace of antimicrobial research remains a concern.
Conclusions:
- Promising new antibiotics are expected in the coming years to address multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections.
- The pipeline includes novel agents and repurposed older drugs with updated data.
- Continued research and development are crucial to combat the evolving threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
01:25Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
01:30Development of Antibiotic Resistance
01:21Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
00:57Antibiotic Selection
01:27Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism
Such synergistic combinations...