Tigecycline: a review of the literature

Abstract

Tigecycline is a new first-in-class glycylcycline antimicrobial agent with expanded broad-spectrum activity. It was developed to overcome the two key resistance mechanisms, efflux pumps and ribosomal protection, that limit the use of tetracycline. The spectrum of activity extends to clinically relevant susceptible and multidrug resistant bacteria, as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus pneumoniae, vancomycin resistant Enterococci, Acinetobacter spp, Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacteriaceae, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing strains (ESBLs). Tigecycline has been introduced into clinical practice as part of the effort to combat the growing problem of bacterial resistance to anti-infective therapy: tigecycline could replace some broad-spectrum agents for approved indications reducing the selective pressure provided by antibiotic administration. The expanded in vitro activity against a broad range of bacteria, including resistant pathogens, of tigecycline suggest that this novel antimicrobial agent should offer clinicians an option for the treatment of patients with serious bacterial infections.