Intravenous Fosfomycin for Systemic Multidrug-Resistant <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> Infections

Abstract

Human Pseudomonas infections have high morbidity and mortality rates. Pseudomonas bacteria can cause sepsis or septic shock; they produce biofilm and commonly exhibit a multidrug-resistant phenotype. The choice of antimicrobial therapy in many cases is challenging, and deep knowledge of clinical, microbiological, and pharmacological issues is required. Intravenous fosfomycin is being repurposed in a combination given its favorable pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties (a small molecule with favorable kinetic both in bloodstream infection and in deep-seated infections), antibiofilm activity, and its interesting synergistic effects with other antimicrobials. Recent literature on epidemiological, microbiological, pharmacological, and clinical data on intravenous fosfomycin therapy against Pseudomonas is herein reviewed and discussed.

Keywords

• fosfomycin
• <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>
• multidrug resistance
• difficult-to-treat <i>P. aeruginosa</i>