As per research published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, a neglected antibiotic resulted in a lower selection of resistant bacteria than the conventional therapy for febrile urinary tract infection. This article throws more light on this drug which may not only be beneficial in the treatment of severe UTIs associated with fever but may also be a solution to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria in hospitals.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) accounts for a significant proportion of the typical bacterial flora in the colon. However, if E. coli enters the body in the wrong locations, such as the bloodstream or urinary system, it may cause significant sickness. E. coli is also the most often encountered pathogen in urinary tract infections. These are often treatable with oral antibiotics, but some people get so unwell that they must be hospitalised and treated with intravenous antibiotics.

Traditionally, such intravenous therapy has been performed using the antibiotic cefotaxime. However, as time passed, a growing proportion of germs became resistant to this antibiotic, both in Sweden and around the globe, necessitating the search for a replacement.

Temocillin

The report that has been released is the outcome of a request by the Swedish government for the Public Health Agency of Sweden to investigate the most effective use of currently available antibiotics. The researchers examined temocillin, a long-known member of the penicillin family of medicines.

The study

Researchers evaluated 152 patients who needed intravenous antibiotics for a urinary tract infection that resulted in fever, generally known as pyelonephritis. In the group treated with temocillin, the gut flora was less altered.

This is mostly due to the fact that temocillin reduces the selection of resistant gut bacteria. As a result, we will witness less selection of resistant intestinal bacteria in hospitals, which may help reduce hospital-acquired diseases caused by these bacteria.

The clinical impact of temocillin was comparable to that of normal cefotaxime therapy, and the adverse effects were comparable. The fact that temocillin is less aggressive against the intestinal bacterial flora implies that reintroduction of this neglected antibiotic for urinary tract infections would benefit both patients and society.

Reintroduction of neglected antibiotics

The global spread of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria threatens to bring the antibiotic era to a stop, as well as all advancements in surgery, transplantation, and chemotherapy. Along with the urgent need for novel antibiotics, we must also safeguard the effectiveness of existing last-resort medications.

Certain antibiotics (colistin, fosfomycin, temocillin, and rifampicin) have been reintroduced into the market to combat the threat posed by superbugs, which include members of the Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter species, and Pseudomonas species.

Disclaimer- The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of M3 India.

The author is a practising super specialist from New Delhi.