Lefamulin: a New Hope in the Field of Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia

Curr Pharmacol Rep. 2022;8(6):418-426. doi: 10.1007/s40495-022-00297-6. Epub 2022 Jul 6.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) continues to be a worldwide health concern since it is the major cause of mortality and hospitalisation worldwide. Increased macrolide resistance among Streptococcus pneumoniae and other infections has resulted in a significantly larger illness burden, which has been exacerbated by evolving demography and a higher prevalence of comorbid disorders. Owing to such circumstances, the creation of new antibiotic classes is critical.

Recent findings: Lefamulin, also referred to as BC-3781, is the primary pleuromutilin antibiotic which has been permitted for both intravenous and oral use in humans for the remedy of bacterial infections. It has shown activity against gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant strains as well as atypical organisms which as often implicated in CABP. It has a completely unique mechanism of action that inhibits protein synthesis via way of means of stopping the binding of tRNA for peptide transfer. The C(14) side chain is responsible for its pharmacodynamic and antimicrobial properties, together with supporting in overcoming bacterial ribosomal resistance and mutations improvement amplifying the number of hydrogen bonds to the target site.

Summary: This review aims to highlight the pre-existing treatment options and specific purposes to shed some light upon the development of a new drug lefamulin and its specifications and explore this novel drug's superior efficacy to already existing treatment strategies.

Keywords: Community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP); Lefamulin; Pleuromutilin; Tablet; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Review