Potent Antibiotics Active against Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria

Abstract

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria has become a global problem. Among MDR Gram-negative bacteria, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and MDR Acinetobacter baumannii have limited treatment options and present serious threats. Therefore, strong countermeasures must be taken against these bacteria immediately. Accordingly, the focus of this review is on recent advances in the development of promising antibacterial agents against MDR Gram-negative bacteria. These agents include novel tetracyclines, polymyxins, β-lactams, β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors, aminoglycosides, and peptide mimetics that have been recently approved or have shown promising results in clinical and preclinical development. This review summarizes these potent antibiotics in terms of their development status, mode of action, spectra of activity, and structure–activity relationship.

Graphical Abstract