In vitro activity of telithromycin against Gram-negative bacterial pathogens

Objectives: To investigate the in vitro activity of the ketolide antibacterial telithromycin against a range of commensal bacteria and common aerobic Gram-negative respiratory and non-respiratory pathogens. Methods: Isolates were derived from both clinical material supplied by centres in various European countries and patients with community-acquired respiratory tract infections (RTIs) from centres worldwide as part of a longitudinal surveillance study. Telithromycin susceptibility testing was conducted using methods in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines and interpreted using CLSI breakpoints. Results: Telithromycin displayed the highest activity against clinical isolates of Haemophilus spp., Neisseria spp., Bordetello pertussis, Legionella pneumophila and Moraxella catarrhalis, with tow activity against a number of other bacterial species, including Acinetobacter spp., Enterobacteriaceae spp., Vibrio spp., Campylobacter jejuni, Aeromonas hydrophila, Plesiornonas shigelloides and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusions: Telithromycin provides coverage of key Gram-negative respiratory tract pathogens, but has minimal activity against Gram-negative non-respiratory pathogens and commensal bacteria. These data support the use of telithromycin as an alternative empirical therapy for community-acquired RTIs. (c) 2005 The British Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.