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Ceftaroline fosamil: a new cephalosporin active against resistant Gram-positive organisms including MRSA

Mark W Garrison1, Nathan M Kawamura, Mary M Wen

  • 1Washington State University College of Pharmacy, Spokane, WA 99210-1495, USA. garrism@wsu.edu

Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy
|November 22, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Ceftaroline is a novel cephalosporin antibiotic effective against resistant Gram-positive pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant strains. It offers a new treatment option for serious infections with a favorable safety profile.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Rising antibiotic resistance in Gram-positive pathogens like MRSA presents a clinical challenge.
  • Reduced susceptibility to vancomycin necessitates new therapeutic agents.
  • Ceftaroline is a new parenteral cephalosporin with activity against resistant Gram-positive bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the properties, spectrum of activity, clinical use, and safety profile of ceftaroline.
  • To highlight ceftaroline's unique bactericidal activity against resistant Gram-positive aerobes.
  • To discuss the future role of ceftaroline in treating resistant infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of ceftaroline's pharmacological properties.
  • Analysis of clinical data regarding ceftaroline's efficacy and safety.
  • Examination of ceftaroline's spectrum of activity against resistant pathogens.

Main Results:

  • Ceftaroline exhibits bactericidal activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
  • It is effective against Staphylococcus aureus strains with reduced susceptibility or resistance to vancomycin.
  • Ceftaroline demonstrates activity against resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, including multidrug-resistant strains.

Conclusions:

  • Ceftaroline is a well-tolerated antibiotic with a unique spectrum of activity against key resistant Gram-positive pathogens.
  • Current indications include complicated skin and skin-structure infections and community-acquired pneumonia.
  • Ceftaroline represents a valuable addition to the therapeutic armamentarium against challenging resistant infections.

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