Background: Lack of progress in developing new antimicrobials, particularly new classes, as
opposed to variants of existing agents, has contributed to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant
pathogens.
Methods: Data synthesis after review of pertinent English-language literature.
Results: The development of new classes of antimicrobial agents is crucial, considering the
increasing prevalence of nosocomial pathogens resistant to empiric as well as second- and
third-line antibiotic choices. Tigecycline has recently been approved for the treatment of complicated
skin and skin structure as well as intra-abdominal infections. Published data on the
in vitro and in vivo properties of tigecycline, the first-in-class glycylcycline, are reviewed.
Conclusion: It is plausible that tigecycline could to some extent replace available broadspectrum
agents for approved indications and thereby reduce the selective pressure for some
currently prevalent multi-resistant pathogens in the hospital setting.
