Fosfomycin is an antibiotic discovered in soil in 1966. It acts by inhibiting the first step of bacterial cell wall biosynthesis through covalent inactivation of the MurA enzyme. This occurs via nucleophilic opening of fosfomycin's epoxide ring. Fosfomycin shows activity against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria including E. coli. Resistance is rare but it is usually combined with other antibiotic classes like beta-lactams or aminoglycosides. It is indicated for severe hospital-acquired infections and those caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.