Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Growing a Cystic Fibrosis-Relevant Polymicrobial Biofilm to Probe Community Phenotypes
Published on: April 19, 2024
Forthcoming therapeutic perspectives for infections due to multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens
1Dipartimento di Patologia, Sezione di Microbiologia, Università di Verona, Verona, Italy.
Abstract:
Multidrug resistance in Gram-positive pathogens emerged as a major therapeutic challenge over two decades ago. The worldwide spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), glycopeptide-resistant enterococci and other resistant Gram-positive pathogens had a major impact on antibiotic policies, and prompted the discovery and development of new antibiotics to combat difficult-to-treat infections caused by such pathogens. Several new antibiotics active against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens have recently been introduced into clinical practice, and the antibiotic pipeline contains additional anti-Gram-positive drugs at an advanced stage of development, including new glycopeptides (dalbavancin, oritavancin, and telavancin), new anti-MRSA beta-lactams (ceftobiprole), and new diaminopyrimidines (iclaprim). This article provides a brief overview of these upcoming agents, partially based on the material presented at the ESCMID Conference entitled 'Fighting infections due to multidrug-resistant Gram-positives' (Venice, Italy, 29-31 May 2008) and on the most recent literature.
Insights
New antibiotics are emerging to combat multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens like MRSA. These include novel glycopeptides, beta-lactams, and diaminopyrimidines to address challenging infections.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Multidrug resistance in Gram-positive pathogens presents a significant therapeutic challenge.
- The rise of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and glycopeptide-resistant enterococci necessitates new antimicrobial strategies.
- Existing antibiotic policies have been impacted, driving the need for novel drug development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of emerging antibiotic agents targeting multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens.
- To highlight new drugs in clinical practice and development pipelines.
- To summarize recent advancements in combating difficult-to-treat Gram-positive infections.
Main Methods:
- Review of recently introduced and pipeline antibiotics.
- Analysis of data presented at the ESCMID Conference on multidrug-resistant Gram-positives.
- Literature review of the latest research on anti-Gram-positive agents.
Main Results:
- Several new antibiotics are now available for clinical use.
- The drug development pipeline includes promising agents like dalbavancin, oritavancin, telavancin, ceftobiprole, and iclaprim.
- These agents target key resistant Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA.
Conclusions:
- The pipeline for anti-Gram-positive drugs is robust, offering new hope against resistant infections.
- Upcoming agents represent significant advancements in treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens.
- Continued development is crucial to stay ahead of evolving antimicrobial resistance.
Related Concept Videos
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
Development of Antibiotic Resistance
Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism
Such synergistic combinations...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
