Penicillins With Antipseudomonal Activity

Abstract

The escalating role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a nosocomial pathogen, the relatively high mortality rate associated with pseudomonal infections, the intrinsic antibiotic resistance of this versatile, ubiquitous organism, and the growing number of reports of multiple antibiotic resistance developing during therapy of Pseudomonas infections prompt a review of currently available penicillins with antipseudomonal activity. Ticarcillin, piperacillin, mezlocillin and azlocillin have upstaged carbenicillin, the first antipseudomonal, β-lactam agent clinically used, with other products “in the wings.”