New drugs in the treatment of bacterial infections

Abstract

Background. The use of antibacterials has become increasingly strained due to increased rates of resistance coupled with reduced rates of development of new agents. As a result, multi-, extensively-, and pan-drug resistant bacterial strains are now frequently encountered. Objective of the study. To highlight recently developed antibacterial medicines and their role in clinical practice. Material and Methods. From the PubMed and Scopus databases, the articles published during the years 2017-2022 were selected. Results. Of 11 new antibiotics that have been approved since 2017, only two – Vaborbactam + Meropenem and Lefamulin – represent a new class. Pretomanid was approved as part of a three-drug combination for the treatment of adult patients with XDR-TB and treatment of intolerant or non-responsive MDR pulmonary TB. Cefiderocol is against to three critical priority pathogens. Ceftazidime - Avibactam licensed for carbapenemase producers. In adults, is specifically addressing the use of Fidaxomicin and Bezlotoxumab for the treatment of C. difficile infection. Macozinone is the antibacterial drug in pipeline developing against M. tuberculosis and Rindinilazole is for C. difficile. Conclusion. New antibacterial agents are mainly derivatives of existing classes. The clinical “traditional” pipeline is still insufficient against priority pathogens. There is a significant need for novel antibacterial drugs research and development.