Optimizing Treatment for Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Complex Infections: A Review of Current Evidence.

ABSTRACT

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii complex (CRAB) poses a significant global health challenge owing to its resistance to multiple antibiotics and limited treatment options. Polymyxin-based therapies have been widely used to treat CRAB infections; however, they are associated with high mortality rates and common adverse events such as nephrotoxicity. Recent developments include numerous observational studies and randomized clinical trials investigating antibiotic combinations, repurposing existing antibiotics, and the development of novel agents. Consequently, recommendations for treating CRAB are undergoing significant changes. The importance of colistin is decreasing, and the role of sulbactam, which exhibits direct antibacterial activity against A. baumannii complex, is being reassessed. High-dose ampicillin-sulbactam-based combination therapies, as well as combinations of sulbactam and durlobactam, which prevent the hydrolysis of sulbactam and binds to penicillin-binding protein 2, have shown promising results. This review introduces recent advancements in CRAB infection treatment based on clinical trial data, highlighting the need for optimized treatment protocols and comprehensive clinical trials to combat the evolving threat of CRAB effectively.