Ertapenem for the treatment of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing gram-negative bacterial infections

Ertapenem is indicated for complicated intra-abdominal, skin and skin-structure, urinary tract and acute pelvic infections as well as community-acquired pneumonia, for which there are cheaper and more narrow- spectrum antibiotics. It is active against extended- spectrum P-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Gram-negative bacteria, but report of its clinical efficacy is lacking. We evaluated our experience with the use of ertapenem for ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacterial infections over 43 months. Forty-seven patients were treated with 50 c of ertapenem. Thirty-nine courses were for ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacterial infections, 33% of which were bacteraemia. The clinical courses response rate was 92% and survival to hospital discharge was 94%. We propose that ertapenem has a role in the first-line treatment of these infections. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V.. and the International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.