In vitro activity of tigecycline against multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates from skin and soft tissue infections

BACKGROUND: Tigecycline, a new agent against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, is especially licensed for use in complicated skin and soft tissue and intra-abdominal infections. We aimed to study the recent in vitro activity of tigecycline against MDR Enterobacteriaceae skin and soft tissue isolates. METHODS: Consecutive isolates (56 Escherichia coli, 48 Klebsiella pneumoniae) were subjected to tigecycline susceptibility testing by Ezy MIC test and interpreted as per European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. RESULTS: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of tigecycline ranged from 0.016 to 48 μg/mL, with MIC(50) 0.19 μg/mL and MIC(90) 1.0 μg/mL respectively. Seven (6.7%) isolates were resistant to tigecycline, all K. pneumoniae. CONCLUSION: Tigecycline remains a viable therapeutic option against MDR isolates, with excellent in vitro activity against E. coli and promising activity against K. pneumoniae. However, the limited availability of alternate therapeutic armamentarium necessitates its use with extreme judiciousness along with continuous monitoring for the emergence and spread of resistance.