Tigecycline Applications in Treating Resistant Bacterial Infections
Summary
Tigecycline is a broad‐spectrum glycylcycline antibiotic designed to overcome conventional tetracycline resistance mechanisms. Since its introduction, it has become a key agent against multidrug‐resistant (MDR) pathogens, particularly carbapenem‐resistant Gram‐negative bacteria (CR‐GNB) and complicated skin, soft tissue, and intra‐abdominal infections. Its bacteriostatic activity derives from binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting protein synthesis even in strains carrying efflux pumps or ribosomal protection proteins. Clinical use often involves combination regimens—pairing tigecycline with colistin, carbapenems, or β-lactams—to enhance efficacy and reduce mortality in severe nosocomial infections. Recent advances address its relatively low serum concentration and limited tissue penetration through novel delivery systems, such as targeted nanoparticles, and highlight the importance of therapeutic drug monitoring to manage inter‐individual pharmacokinetic variability and minimise adverse effects. Despite concerns over gastrointestinal intolerance, hepatotoxicity, and coagulation changes, judicious dosing strategies and high‐dose regimens have shown promise in improving outcomes. Globally, tigecycline remains a vital option in the antimicrobial armamentarium, offering clinicians a last‐line defence against life‐threatening resistant infections and underscoring ongoing efforts to optimise its safety, delivery, and therapeutic monitoring.
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Tigecycline Applications in Treating Resistant Bacterial Infections publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in tigecycline applications in treating resistant bacterial infections across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Multidrug‐resistant (MDR): Bacteria resistant to three or more classes of antimicrobial agents.
Blood–brain barrier (BBB): A selective endothelial interface that limits passage of compounds from the bloodstream into the central nervous system.
Carbapenem‐resistant Gram‐negative bacteria (CR‐GNB): Organisms of Gram‐negative morphology that have acquired resistance to carbapenem antibiotics, often via carbapenemase enzymes.
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM): Measurement of specific drug levels in biological fluids to optimise dosing and improve safety and efficacy.
Core–shell nanoparticle: A nanostructure consisting of an inner core containing active agent and an outer shell engineered to enhance stability, targeting, or release properties.
References
- Dual-targeting tigecycline nanoparticles for treating intracranial infections caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Journal of Nanobiotechnology (2024).
- Tigecycline Immunodetection Using Developed Group-Specific and Selective Antibodies for Drug Monitoring Purposes. Biosensors (2023).
- Clinical effectiveness of tigecycline in combination therapy against nosocomial pneumonia caused by CR-GNB in intensive care units: a retrospective multi-centre observational study. Journal of Intensive Care (2023).
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