In the United States, Actavis plc, global pharmaceutical company, has launched Avycaz (ceftazidime-avibactam) to treat adult patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) (in combination with metronidazole) and complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) including pyelonephritis caused by designated susceptible bacteria, including certain Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Avycaz should be reserved for use in patients who have limited or no alternative treatment options.
An important bacterial protein called UmuD may help prevent antibiotic resistance, scientists say. Penny Beuning from Northeastern University's college of science and colleagues are studying UmuD that regulates mutagenesis and may provide important clues about how to sto the process that eventually results in antimicrobial resistance.

