Resistance to ceftaroline - 2018 review

Ceftaroline is a new fifth generation cephalosporin, active mostly against Gram-positive cocci, e.g. Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). It is used in treating acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections, community acquired respiratory tract infections and methicillin-resistant S.aureus bacteremia. The main resistance mechanisms of bacteria to β-lactam antibiotics, including ceftaroline, are mutations in PBP2a, PBP3 and PBP4. Clinically significant resistance has been noted among both archived and newly-isolated strains in a laboratory test using serial passages. Ceftaroline-resistant strains have also been found in patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, ventilator-associated pneumonia and infectious endocarditis. Irresponsible antibiotic treatment using ceftaroline or other antibiotics (due to a possibility of a cross-resistance) can lead to the spread of ceftaroline resistance and, consequently, its loss of value.