Abstract
The authors sought to evaluate the impact of ertapenem use on the resistance of Gram-negative bacteria (in general and in specific species) to group 2 carbapenems. PubMed and Scopus databases were systematically searched. Eight studies were included; all reported on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and four reported on Enterobacteriaceae. Five studies did not show any difference in group 2 carbapenem resistance for P. aeruginosa, while three reported a significant decline after ertapenem introduction. Three studies did not show any difference in group 2 carbapenem resistance between the compared periods for Enterobacteriaceae and one study did not present a statistical analysis. In conclusion, the currently available data suggest that ertapenem use does not affect the resistance of Gram-negative bacteria to group 2 carbapenems.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
ME Falagas has participated in the advisory boards of Pfizer, Astellas and Bayer, and has received lecture honoraria from Merck, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Astellas, Cipla, Novartis and Glenmark. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.