ME-1071

Paralleling the developments in Gram-positive bacteria, infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gramnegative bacilli have become a growing challenge. The most important resistance problems are encountered in Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp., with increasing trends observed for all major anti- Gram-negative agents (beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides). A matter of major concern is the emergence of new beta-lactamases capable of degrading the expanded-spectrum cephalosporins and/or carbapenems, such as the extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and the carbapenemases (ie. KPC, NDM and other metallo-β; -lactamases). This paper reviews the evidence in the published literature of the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile, clinical efficacy of new antimicrobial agents, against MDR- Gram-negative pathogens, such us: i-new carbapenems (doripenem, biapenem, panipenem, tonopenem, FSI-1686); ii-new cephalosporins (ceftaroline, ceftobiprole); iii-tigecycline; and iv- β- lactamases inhibitors (BLI-489, Ro 48-1220, ME 1071, aviactam [NXL104]).

ME1071, a maleic acid derivative, is a novel, specific inhibitor of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs). In vitro, ME1071 can potentiate the activity of carbapenems against MBL-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To confirm the clinical efficacy of ME1071 in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by MBL-producing P. aeruginosa, a mouse model that mimics VAP by placement of a plastic tube in the bronchus was used. Biapenem (100 mg/kg) or ME1071 plus biapenem (each 100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally every 12 h beginning at 12 h after inoculation. Survival was evaluated over 7 days. At 30 h post infection, mice were sacrificed and the numbers of viable bacteria in the lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were compared. Histopathological analysis of lung specimens was also performed. The pharmacokinetics of ME1071 was analysed after initial treatment. The ME1071 plus biapenem combination group displayed significantly longer survival compared with the control and biapenem monotherapy groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, the number of viable bacteria in the lungs was significantly lower in the combination group (P<0.05). Histopathological examination of lung specimens indicated that progression of lung inflammation was prevented in the combination group. Furthermore, total cell and neutrophil counts, as well as cytokine levels, in BALF were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the combination group. The percentage time above the MIC (%T>MIC) for biapenem without ME1071 was 0% in plasma; however, this value was elevated to 10.8% with ME1071. These results suggest that ME1071 is potent and effective for treatment of VAP caused by MBL-producing P. aeruginosa.