Abstract
Glycylcyclines are semisynthetic derivatives of tetracyclines with a broad spectrum of activity. Tigecycline is the first member of the glycylcycline class to be put into clinical use.
Tigecycline binds to bacterial ribosomes with greater affinity and in a different pattern than tetracyclines. In vitro , tigecycline is active against multiple Gram-positive, Gram-negative, atypical and anaerobic bacteria.
It is equally effective against all strains of a species regardless of their susceptibility or resistance to other antibiotics. This fact is particularly relevant in view of bacterial strains resistant to the drugs of choice, the number of which is ever increasing in the Czech Republic.
These are oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers, in particular E. coli. Tygecycline is indicated for use in the treatment of complicated infections of the skin and soft tissues, primarily of hospital infections caused by MRSA and severe intraabdominal infections with the co-involvement of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species.