Leading driver of antibiotic selection in nosocomial pneumonia in Europe found

Nov 20 2009

Arlington Medical Resources (AMR) and Decision Resources find that the leading driver of antibiotic selection in nosocomial pneumonia in Europe is broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. Due to the variety of organisms that can cause nosocomial pneumonia, surveyed European physicians reveal that they look primarily for agents that provide appropriate coverage against common pathogens, particularly for empiric therapy.

"Nosocomial pneumonia is an extremely important indication in Europe because it is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality," stated Decision Resources Analyst Lisa Arias. "Prescribing for nosocomial pneumonia is heavily driven by the need for timely, effective empiric therapy, and European specialists cite Pseudomonas and MRSA as the most concerning pathogens in nosocomial pneumonia."

In the new report entitled Hospital Anti-Infectives Insight Series: Nosocomial Pneumonia, surveyed European infectious disease specialists were highly receptive toward new antibiotics in late-stage development, including the two next-generation anti-MRSA cephalosporins (Johnson & Johnson/Basilea's ceftobiprole and Forest/AstraZeneca's ceftaroline) and the novel anti-MRSA lipoglycopeptide telavancin (Astellas/Theravance/Takeda's Vibativ). European physicians indicate that these therapies could be used in empiric therapy for nosocomial pneumonia when the pathogen is unknown and MRSA infection is suspected. Because European specialists foresee an increase in the incidence of MRSA nosocomial pneumonia in the next five years, these therapies may become useful additions to the antibiotic armamentarium, offering much needed novel treatment options for MRSA nosocomial pneumonia.

"There are limited therapeutic options to target resistant pathogens in nosocomial pneumonia, so there is high unmet need for new, effective therapies in this indication. The broad-spectrum anti-MRSA cephalosporins may offer a convenient monotherapy option for European specialists who would like broad-spectrum nosocomial pneumonia agents possessing activity against troubling pathogens such as MRSA," continued Ms. Arias.

SOURCE Decision Resources; Arlington Medical Resources