Over the years I have been used to teaching everyone that MRSA is resistant to all cephalosporins, or indeed, all beta-lactams.

However I have been having to revise that statement recently with the advent of the new “5th generation” cephalosporins, ceftaroline and ceftobiprole.

These broad spectrum antibiotics have activity against MRSA by having enhanced affinity for the PBP2A binding protein. As new antibiotics go, they are not overly expensive. Their main downside is that they both need to be given intra-venously.

They have actually been around for a while now, but only more recently available in New Zealand.

So will I use these “new” antibiotics in clinical practice?

Possibly, although I always think  that new broad spectrum antibiotics such as these should be protected from widespread use in order to minimise resistance selection.

However if they are not used at all, they will be commercially unviable and be withdrawn from the market. A catch 22 situation.

I now have to revise my lectures. MRSA is resistant to most beta-lactams, with a couple of exceptions….”

Time makes fools of us all.

Michael