Treatment options for infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae: can we apply "precision medicine" to antimicrobial chemotherapy?

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

For the past three decades, carbapenems played a central role in our antibiotic armamentarium, trusted to effectively treat infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. The utility of this class of antibiotics has been compromised by the emergence of resistance especially among Enterobacteriaceae.

Areas covered

We review the current mainstays of pharmacotherapy against infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) including tigecycline, aminoglycosides, and rediscovered 'old' antibiotics such as fosfomycin and polymyxins, and discuss their efficacy and potential toxicity. We also summarize the contemporary clinical experience treating CRE infections with antibiotic combination therapy. Finally, we discuss ceftazidime/avibactam and imipenem/

SUBMITTER: Perez F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4970584 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature