The Therapeutic Effect of Tigecycline, Unlike That of Ceftazidime, Is Not Influenced by whether the Klebsiella pneumoniae Strain Produces Extended-Spectrum beta-Lactamases in Experimental Pneumonia in Rats

The efficacies of tigecycline and ceftazidime against fatal pneumonia in rats caused by an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae strain or its wild-type (WT) progenitor were compared. Ceftazidime at 12.5 or 50 mg/kg of body weight twice daily (b.i.d.) was effective (50% or 100% rat survival) in pneumonia caused by the WT isolate but unsuccessful (100% rat mortality) in pneumonia caused by the ESBL-positive variant. In contrast, tigecycline at 6.25, 12.5, or 25 mg/kg b.i.d. showed dosage-dependent efficacy up to 100% rat survival irrespective of the ESBL character of the infecting organism.