Ceftaroline in severe community-acquired pneumonia

Severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP) is associated with high mortality. Factor such as early adequate antibiotic therapy, delay in intensive care unit (ICU) care and pneumonia caused by resistant pathogens are associated with worse outcomes in SCAP patients. Ceftaroline is a fifth-generation cephalosporin with bactericidal activity against Gram-positive pathogens (including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] and multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae) and common Gram-negative organisms. The efficacy and safety for the treatment of pneumonia was evaluated in three randomized control trials were ceftaroline demonstrated superiority against ceftriaxone for the treatment of pneumonia in hospitalized patients with Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) III – IV.