Don't Be So Negative; Let's Have a Positive Perspective! A Review of Novel Antibiotics Targeting Gram-Positive Bacteria

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis, and the development of new antimicrobials is essential to reducing associated morbidity and mortality. Infections by multi-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria have been at the forefront of this AMR public health emergency, often overshadowing the importance of novel treatment options for multi-drug-resistant Gram-positive bacterial infections. Here, we introduce and review a number of antimicrobial agents with activity against clinically significant Gram-positive pathogens, including difficult-to-treat staphylococci, streptococci, enterococci, and Gram-positive anaerobes. We describe antimicrobial agents in late-stage development, those that are newly approved, and those with existing FDA-approved clinical indications for which more recently the FDA expanded approval for novel indications. Overall, the goal of this review is to provide clinical microbiologists, infectious disease physicians, and pharmacists with current, relevant information about novel antibiotic agents effective against Gram-positive bacteria.