New antibiotics for bad bugs: where are we?

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Antibiotic resistance is a significant and increasing threat in both community and hospital settings, leading to higher mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs.
• The rise of multidrug-resistant microorganisms necessitates the development of new antimicrobial compounds that are safe, effective, and have a low resistance potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current data on novel antibiotic classes and molecules from existing classes.
• To evaluate ongoing trends in antimicrobial drug development.
• To address the challenge posed by multidrug-resistant pathogens, including the ESKAPE group.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing data on new antibiotics and antimicrobial development trends.
• Evaluation of initiatives like the Infectious Diseases Society of America's '10 × '20' program.
• Analysis of antibiotic classes and specific agents targeting resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens.

Main Results:

• Several new antimicrobial agents, including fifth-generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, and β-lactamase inhibitors, show promise against resistant pathogens.
• Approved and investigational drugs target critical infections caused by vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).
• Despite progress, the pipeline of new antibiotics is insufficient to meet the rising prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections.

Conclusions:

• The development of new antimicrobial agents is crucial to combat the increasing threat of bacterial resistance.
• A multi-stakeholder approach, including policy guidance and surveillance, is essential for managing antimicrobial resistance.
• Continued research and development are needed to address the gap between the need for new antibiotics and their availability.