Daptomycin - A novel antibiotic against Gram-positive pathogens
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
11-1-2004
Abstract
Daptomycin is a novel member of a new class of antimicrobial agents used in treating resistant Gram-positive infections. These infections are becoming more commonplace and treatment options are limited. At present daptomycin is approved for use in the US for complicated skin and skin-structure infections that are a common complication of surgery, diabetic foot ulcers, and burns. The most common causative organisms in these types of infections are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Group C and G streptococci. Traditionally, these infections have been treated with penicillin and cephalosporins, but resistance to these agents is widespread and increasing. Of particular concern 1 the rapid increase in methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Programme reported that ∼ 30% of S. aureus isolates from skin and skin-structure infections were MRSA. The standard treatment for MRSA infections is vancomycin but resistance to this agent is also developing. There is a continuing need for the development of new antibiotics with Gram-positive activity, to combat multi-drug-resistant Gram-positive infections. © 2004 Ashley Publications Ltd.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
Volume
5
Issue
11
Citation/Publisher Attribution
LaPlante, Kerry L., and J. Rybak. "Daptomycin - A novel antibiotic against Gram-positive pathogens." Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy 5, 11 (2004): 2321-2331. doi: 10.1517/14656566.5.11.2321.