Tigecycline in treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacillus urinary tract infections: a systematic review

To review cases of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacillus urinary tract infections (UTIs) treated with tigecycline and the literature related to this subject. We performed a systematic review of the literature identifying patients with MDR Gram-negative bacillus UTIs treated with tigecycline. Fourteen cases describing treatment of UTIs caused by MDR Gram-negative bacilli with tigecycline are reviewed. Favourable clinical outcomes were noted in 11 of 14 cases. An initial favourable microbiological outcome was noted in 12 cases. Post-treatment cultures in two cases were positive for tigecycline-resistant organisms. The clinical efficacy of tigecycline for treatment of UTIs has not been extensively evaluated. Based on the available literature, tigecycline appears to have efficacy in some patients with MDR Gram-negative bacillus UTIs. Further research in this area is needed to fully elucidate the role of tigecycline in treating such patients.