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Tigecycline in the treatment of infections from multi-drug resistant gram-negative pathogens

Garyphallia Poulakou1, Flora V Kontopidou, Elisabeth Paramythiotou

  • 14th Department of Internal Medicine, Athens University School of Medicine, ATTIKON University General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece.

The Journal of Infection
|April 7, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Tigecycline (TIG) shows promise for treating infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens, with an 80% overall success rate. However, further clinical experience is needed, especially regarding superinfections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Multi-drug resistant (MDR) microorganisms pose a significant threat in healthcare settings.
  • Tigecycline (TIG) is an antibiotic approved for complicated skin, intra-abdominal, and community-acquired pneumonia infections.
  • Limited data exists on TIG's efficacy in treating diverse infections caused by MDR pathogens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the early clinical experience with tigecycline (TIG) in treating infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) microorganisms.
  • To assess the clinical outcomes and safety of TIG in adult patients.
  • To compare TIG's effectiveness as monotherapy versus presumed active monotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational study of adult patients receiving TIG for >5 days.
  • Patients were categorized into monotherapy (M group) or presumed active monotherapy (PAM group).
  • PAM group included cases where co-administered antimicrobials failed or were resistant in vitro.

Main Results:

  • Forty-five patients, primarily in ICU, were treated for infections including Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
  • Overall clinical success rate was 80%, with higher rates in ventilator-associated/healthcare-acquired pneumonia (90.5%).
  • Superinfections by tigecycline-resistant Enterobacteriaceae occurred more frequently in the M group (31.8%) than the PAM group (13%).

Conclusions:

  • Tigecycline (TIG) demonstrates potential as a treatment option for infections caused by MDR pathogens.
  • The study highlights the need for careful patient selection and monitoring for superinfections.
  • Further clinical experience and research are warranted to fully establish TIG's role in managing MDR infections.

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