Current role of ceftobiprole in the treatment of hospital-acquired and community-acquired pneumonia: expert opinion based on literature and real-life experiences.

Abstract

Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) are major global health challenges, with high morbidity and mortality rates. The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria may diminish the effectiveness of standard empirical antibiotics, highlighting the need for broader-spectrum agents that target also MDR organisms.

Areas covered: This review summarizes findings from a PubMed search on the use of ceftobiprole in CAP and HAP. It highlights key features of ceftobiprole, including its mechanism of action and broad spectrum of activity against multiple MDR pathogens. Clinical data from randomized controlled trials and real-world studies underscore its non-inferiority to standard treatments, with favorable safety profile and high clinical cure rates even in challenging cases.

Expert opinion: Ceftobiprole represents a valid option for the patients with CAP and HAP. Its main advantages include its broad spectrum of activity, making it a valuable therapeutic choice for treating polymicrobial infections, and its favorable safety profile, which makes it a good candidate in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities and polypharmacy. Caution is advised in patients at high risk of ESBL-producing organisms or MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, where combination therapy is recommended. Moreover, therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended to improve outcomes, particularly in complex clinical conditions.