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Ceftobiprole, a new cephalosporin that is awaiting FDA approval, is unique among β-lactams in having good activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). To identify potential sources for the emergence of ceftobiprole-resistant MRSA strains, investigators — partially supported by the manufacturer — studied the drug’s in vitro activity against major epidemic clones of MRSA (including highly oxacillin-resistant subpopulations), strains with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin, and strains carrying the enterococcal vancomycin-resistance gene.
Ceftobiprole maintained excellent activity against all MRSA strains tested. Compared with oxacillin, it displayed a very high affinity for the penicillin-binding protein 2A.