Tigecycline therapy in pediatric patients with multidrug resistant bacteremia.

INTRODUCTION: Multidrug resistance among bacteria increases the need for new therapeutic options. Tigecycline is one candidate drug, due to property of a wider anti-bacterial spectrum to multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens. However, it has still not been approved for use in pediatric patients. METHODS: In this study the effectiveness and safety of tigecycline in children was assessed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 36 pediatric patients, received tigecycline therapy with a median of 13 days (2-32 days). Tigecycline was used as a combination therapy in all cases. Microbiological eradication was achieved in 27 patients (75%) and clinical response was observed in 30 patients (83%). There were six cases (17%) of relapse. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that tigecycline may be an option for children with severe infections due to multidrug resistant bacteria.