Treatment options for multidrug-resistant nonfermenters

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant nonfermenters are a worldwide threat. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii have been associated with high mortality and treatment failures. In addition, therapeutic options are increasingly narrowed, mainly due to widespread resistance in these pathogens and a shortage of new antimicrobial compounds. Hence, old, potent but toxic antibiotics such as the polymyxins are re-emerging as therapeutic options. Maximizing pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics with existing agents is also a worthwhile approach to explore. This problem exemplifies the critical need for new drug development for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative microorganisms.

Keywords::

• carbapenems
• combination therapy
• nonfermenters
• pharmacodynamics
• pharmacokinetics
• polymyxins
• resistance mechanisms

Financial & competing interests disclosure

María Villegas has consulting arrangements and/or research grant support with Merck, Wyeth, Baxter, Janssen Cilag, Pfizer and AstraZeneca. John Quinn works for Pfizer Global Research and Development in New London, CT, USA. None of these sources of support have contributed to the preparation of this article in any way. 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.