Intravenous fosfomycin for the treatment of patients with bone and joint infections: a review.

INTRODUCTION: Fosfomycin is a wide spectrum bactericidal antibiotic with a unique mode of action, low toxicity, and good penetration in tissues with deep-seated infections, including bone and joint infections. AREAS COVERED: Data were extracted from 19 published articles. Three hundred and sixty-five patients, with broad age range, received intravenous fosfomycin for the treatment of bone and joint infections (including arthritis, acute and chronic osteomyelitis, discitis, periprosthetic joint infection). Fosfomycin was given as part of a combination antimicrobial therapy in the majority of patients (93.7%). The dosage of fosfomycin ranged from 4 g/day (in one case) to 24 g/day. The dosage of fosfomycin, in some cases, mostly pediatric, was calculated based on body weight, ranging from 50 mg/kg/day to 250 mg/kg/day. The duration of fosfomycin treatment ranged from a couple of days up to 3 months. The most common isolated pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus (38.9%). Three hundred patients (82.2%) were successfully treated. Fosfomycin was well tolerated, as few patients developed mild adverse events, mostly gastrointestinal discomfort, hypernatremia, skin rash, and neutropenia. EXPERT OPINION: The available data suggests that intravenous fosfomycin may be beneficial for the treatment of patients with bone and joint infections, especially when used as part of a combination antibiotic regimen.