Loss and gain of ceftazidime-avibactam susceptibility in a non-carbapenemase-producing K1-ST23 hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at revealing the underlying mechanisms of the loss and gain of ceftazidime-avibactam susceptibility in a non-carbapenemase-producing hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp). METHODS: Here we longitudinally recovered 3 non-carbapenemase-producing K1-ST23 hvKp strains at a one-month interval (KP29105, KP29499 and KP30086) from an elderly male. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole genome sequencing, transcriptomic sequencing, gene cloning, plasmid conjugation, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) were conducted. RESULTS: Among the 3 hvKp strains, KP29105 was resistant to the third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, KP29499 acquired resistance to both ceftazidime-avibactam and carbapenems, while KP30086 restored its susceptibility to ceftazidime-avibactam, imipenem and meropenem but retained low-level resistance to ertapenem. KP29105 and KP29499 carried plasmid-encoded genes blaCTX-M-15 and blaCTX-M-71, respectively, but KP30086 lost both. Cloning of gene blaCTX-M-71 and conjugation experiment of blaCTX-M-71-carrying plasmid showed that the transformant and transconjugant were susceptible to ceftazidime-avibactam but had a more than 8-fold increase in MICs. Supplementation with an outer membrane permeabilizer could reduce the MIC of ceftazidime-avibactam by 32 folds, indicating that porins play a key role in ceftazidime-avibactam resistance. The OmpK35 of the 3 isolates was not expressed, and the OmpK36 of KP29499 and KP30086 had a novel amino acid substitution (L359R). SDS-PAGE and qRT-PCR showed that the expression of porin OmpK36 of KP29499 and KP30086 was significantly down-regulated compared with KP29105. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we reported the rare ceftazidime-avibactam resistance in a non-carbapenemase-producing hvKp strain. Resistance plasmid carrying blaCTX-M-71 and mutated OmpK36 had a synergetic effect on the resistance.

Difficult-to-treat (DTR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa harboring Verona-Integron metallo-ß-lactamase (blaVIM): infection management and molecular analysis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa harboring Verona Integron-encoded metallo-ß-lactamase enzymes (VIM-CRPA) have been associated with infection outbreaks in several parts of the world. In the US, however, VIM-CRPA remain rare. Starting in December 2018, we identified a cluster of cases in our institution. Herein, we present our epidemiological investigation and strategies to control/manage these challenging infections. This study was conducted in a large academic healthcare system in Miami, FL, between December 2018 and January 2022. Patients were prospectively identified via rapid molecular diagnostics when cultures revealed carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa. Alerts were received in real time by the antimicrobial stewardship program and infection prevention teams. Upon alert recognition, a series of interventions were performed as a coordinated effort. A retrospective chart review was conducted to collect patient demographics, antimicrobial therapy, and clinical outcomes. Thirty-nine VIM-CRPA isolates led to infection in 21 patients. The majority were male (76.2%); the median age was 52 years. The majority were mechanically ventilated (n = 15/21; 71.4%); 47.6% (n = 10/21) received renal replacement therapy at the time of index culture. Respiratory (n = 20/39; 51.3%) or bloodstream (n = 13/39; 33.3%) were the most common sources. Most infections (n = 23/37; 62.2%) were treated with an aztreonam-avibactam regimen. Six patients (28.6%) expired within 30 days of index VIM-CRPA infection. Fourteen isolates were selected for whole genome sequencing. Most of them belonged to ST111 (12/14), and they all carried blaVIM-2 chromosomally. This report describes the clinical experience treating serious VIM-CRPA infections with either aztreonam-ceftazidime/avibactam or cefiderocol in combination with other agents. The importance of implementing infection prevention strategies to curb VIM-CRPA outbreaks is also demonstrated.

In vitro activity of ceftazidime/avibactam, cefiderocol, meropenem/vaborbactam and imipenem/relebactam against clinical strains of the Stenotrophomonas maltophilia complex.

BACKGROUND: Infections caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and related species are increasing worldwide. Unfortunately, treatment options are limited, whereas the antimicrobial resistance is increasing. METHODS: We included clinical isolates identified as S. maltophilia by VITEK 2 Compact. Ceftazidime/avibactam, meropenem/vaborbactam, imipenem/relebactam, cefiderocol, quinolones, and tetracycline family members were evaluated by broth microdilution method and compared with first-line treatment drugs. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were reported for all antibiotics. We sequenced the Whole Genome of cefiderocol resistant strains (CRSs) and annotated their genes associated with cefiderocol resistance (GACR). Presumptive phylogenetic identification employing the 16S marker was performed. RESULTS: One hundred and one clinical strains were evaluated, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, levofloxacin and minocycline showed susceptibilities of 99.01%, 95.04% and 100% respectively. Ceftazidime was the antibiotic with the highest percentage of resistance in all samples (77.22%). Five strains were resistant to cefiderocol exhibiting MIC values ≥ 2 µg/mL (4.95%). The ß-lactamase inhibitors meropenem/vaborbactam and imipenem/relebactam, failed to inhibit S. maltophilia, preserving both MIC50 and MIC90 ≥64 µg/mL. Ceftazidime/avibactam restored the activity of ceftazidime decreasing the MIC range. Tigecycline had the lowest MIC range, MIC50 and MIC90. Phylogeny based on 16S rRNA allowed to identify to cefiderocol resistant strains as putative species clustered into Stenotrophomonas maltophilia complex (Smc). In these strains, we detected GARCs such as Mutiple Drug Resistance (MDR) efflux pumps, L1-type ß-lactamases, iron transporters and type-1 fimbriae. CONCLUSION: Antimicrobial resistance to first-line treatment is low. The in vitro activity of new ß-lactamase inhibitors against S. maltophilia is poor, but avibactam may be a potential option. Cefiderocol could be considered as a potential new option for multidrug resistant infections. Tetracyclines had the best in vitro activity of all antibiotics evaluated.

Synergistic effects of ceftazidime/avibactam combined with meropenem in a murine model of infection with KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

OBJECTIVES: The emergence and expansion of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infections is a concern due to the lack of 'first-line' antibiotic treatment options. The ceftazidime/avibactam is an important clinical treatment for carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae infections but there is an increasing number of cases of treatment failure and drug resistance. Therefore, a potential solution is combination therapies that result in synergistic activity against K. pneumoniae carbapenemase: producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) isolates and preventing the emergence of KPC mutants resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam are needed in lieu of novel antibiotics. METHODS: To evaluate their synergistic activity, antibiotic combinations were tested against 26 KPC-Kp strains. Antibiotic resistance profiles, molecular characteristics and virulence genes were investigated by susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing. Antibiotic synergy was evaluated by in vitro chequerboard experiments, time-killing curves and dose-response assays. The mouse thigh model was used to confirm antibiotic combination activities in vivo. Additionally, antibiotic combinations were evaluated for their ability to prevent the emergence of ceftazidime/avibactam resistant mutations of blaKPC. RESULTS: The combination of ceftazidime/avibactam plus meropenem showed remarkable synergistic activity against 26 strains and restored susceptibility to both the partnering antibiotics. The significant therapeutic effect of ceftazidime/avibactam combined with meropenem was also confirmed in the mouse model and bacterial loads in the thigh muscle of the combination groups were significantly reduced. Furthermore, ceftazidime/avibactam plus meropenem showed significant activity in preventing the occurrence of resistance mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that the combination of ceftazidime/avibactam plus meropenem offers viable therapeutic alternatives in treating serious infections due to KPC-Kp.

In vitro activity of ceftazidime-avibactam against gram-negative bacteria in patients with bacteremia and skin and soft-tissue infections in Colombia 2019-2021.

OBJECTIVES: Ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) is an option for infections caused by MDR gram-negative bacilli. In this study, we aimed to analyze the in vitro antimicrobial activity of CAZ-AVI and other antimicrobial agents against gram-negative bacilli that were collected in Colombia between 2019 and 2021 from patients with bacteremia and skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs). METHODS: A total of 600 Enterobacterales and 259 P. aeruginosa strains were analyzed. The phenotypic resistance of isolates, particularly non-susceptibility to meropenem, multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates, and difficult-to-treat (DTR) P. aeruginosa, was evaluated according to CLSI breakpoints. RESULTS: Enterobacterales had the most susceptibility to CAZ-AVI (96.5 %) and tigecycline (95 %). Tigecycline and CAZ-AVI were the antimicrobial agents with the most in vitro activity against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). CAZ-AVI was the antimicrobial treatment with the most activity against P. aeruginosa. CONCLUSIONS: Tigecycline and CAZ-AVI were the antimicrobial agents with the most activity against CRE and MDR Enterobacterales. For P. aeruginosa, CAZ-AVI was the antimicrobial treatment with the most in vitro activity.

Determination of aztreonam/ceftazidime-avibactam synergism and proposal of a new methodology for the evaluation of susceptibility in vitro.

We proposed a new methodology, the microelution ATM/CZA (mATM/CZA), based on the antibiotic disc elution and the use of resazurin, for rapid (<4h) determination of in vitro susceptibility to aztreonam combined with ceftazidime-avibactam among Enterobacterales. The mATM/CZA presented excellent accuracy with 1.9 %, 98.1 % and 100 % of major error, specificity and sensitivity, respectively. Furthermore, we assessed synergism between aztreonam and ceftazidime-avibactam in Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which was observed in 37/55 Enterobacterales and 31/56 P. aeruginosa. As reference methodologies (checkerboard, time-kill curve) are not compatible with the routine of the clinical microbiology laboratories, mATM/CZA is an important alternative to evaluate susceptibility of the combination in a scenario where its clinical use is increasingly important.

Zein nanoparticles containing ceftazidime and tobramycin: antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria.

Aims: This work describes the encapsulation of ceftazidime and tobramycin in zein nanoparticles (ZNPs) and the characterization of their antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against Gram-negative bacteria. Materials & methods: ZNPs were synthesized by nanoprecipitation. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay and antibacterial and antibiofilm assays were performed by broth microdilution and violet crystal techniques. Results: ZNPs containing ceftazidime (CAZ-ZNPs) and tobramycin (TOB-ZNPs) showed drug encapsulation and thermal stability. Encapsulation of the drugs reduced their cytotoxicity 9-25-fold. Antibacterial activity, inhibition and eradication of biofilm by CAZ-ZNPs and TOB-ZNPs were observed. There was potentiation when CAZ-ZNPs and TOB-ZNPs were combined. Conclusion: CAZ-ZNPs and TOB-ZNPs present ideal physical characteristics for in vivo studies of antibacterial and antibiofilm activities.

A nanotechnology product was developed to treat diseases caused by bacteria. This prototype showed the ideal characteristics and could be administered by ingestion through the mouth, aspiration through the nose or injection into the veins. The prototype did not harm or kill human cells. It killed the bacteria and prevented the formation of a type of protection against antibiotics that bacteria can produce, called a biofilm. Nanotechnology products are a promising alternative for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Spread and evolution of blaKPC-plasmid between Serratia marcescens and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

OBJECTIVES: blaKPC-carrying Enterobacterales have post great challenges to global healthcare systems. In this study, we reported the evolution and spread of blaKPC between Serratia marcescens and Klebsiella pneumoniae. METHODS: Four S. marcescens and one K. pneumoniae strains were isolated from the sputum samples of the patient. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests and whole genome sequencing were performed to investigate the phenotype & genotype of strains. Conjugation assays, cloning experiment and kinetic parameters measuring were performed to explore the spread and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. RESULTS: The evolution and transmission of blaKPC-2 occurred during the treatment of ceftazidime-avibactam and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Analysis of the antimicrobial susceptibility and genetic profiles of the clinical strains showed that blaKPC-2 evolved into blaKPC-71 and blaKPC-44, together with resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam and carbapenems susceptibility recovery under antimicrobial pressure. Cloning and expression of blaKPC-44 & blaKPC-71 in E. coli DH5α showed that KPC-44 and KPC-71 resulted in a 64∼128-fold increase in the MIC value for ceftazidime-avibactam. Meanwhile, the kinetic assays also showed that the enzyme activity of KPC-44 and KPC-71 towards carbapenems was destroyed and couldn't be inhibited by avibactam. Based on the conjugation assay and whole genome sequence analyses, we provided evolutionary insights into the transmission pathway trace of blaKPC-bearing plasmids between S. marcescens and K. pneumoniae. CONCLUSIONS: Mixed-species co-infection is one of the risk factors leading to the spread of plasmids carrying carbapenem-resistant genes, and increased surveillance of multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales is urgently needed.

Activity of cefiderocol and innovative ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitor combinations against isogenic strains of Escherichia coli expressing single and double ß-lactamases under high and low permeability conditions.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the impact of the most clinically relevant ß-lactamases and their interplay with low outer membrane permeability on the activity of cefiderocol, ceftazidime/avibactam, aztreonam/avibactam, cefepime/enmetazobactam, cefepime/taniborbactam, cefepime/zidebactam, imipenem/relebactam, meropenem/vaborbactam, meropenem/xeruborbactam and meropenem/nacubactam against recombinant Escherichia coli strains. METHODS: We constructed 82 E. coli laboratory transformants expressing the main ß-lactamases circulating in Enterobacterales (70 expressing single ß-lactamase and 12 producing double carbapenemase) under high (E. coli TG1) and low (E. coli HB4) permeability conditions. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was determined by reference broth microdilution. RESULTS: Aztreonam/avibactam, cefepime/zidebactam, cefiderocol, meropenem/xeruborbactam and meropenem/nacubactam were active against all E. coli TG1 transformants. Imipenem/relebactam, meropenem/vaborbactam, cefepime/taniborbactam and cefepime/enmetazobactam were also highly active, but unstable against most of MBL-producing transformants. Combination of ß-lactamases with porin deficiency (E. coli HB4) did not significantly affect the activity of aztreonam/avibactam, cefepime/zidebactam, cefiderocol or meropenem/nacubactam, but limited the effectiveness of the rest of carbapenem- and cefepime-based combinations. Double-carbapenemase production resulted in the loss of activity of most of the compounds tested, an effect particularly evident for those E. coli HB4 transformants in which MBLs were present. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the promising activity that cefiderocol and new ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitors have against recombinant E. coli strains expressing widespread ß-lactamases, including when these are combined with low permeability or other enzymes. Aztreonam/avibactam, cefiderocol, cefepime/zidebactam and meropenem/nacubactam will help to mitigate to some extent the urgency of new compounds able to resist MBL action, although NDM enzymes represent a growing challenge against which drug development efforts are still needed.

Plasmid-encoded gene duplications of extended-spectrum ß-lactamases in clinical bacterial isolates.

Introduction: The emergence of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae is an urgent and alarming One Health problem. This study aimed to investigate duplications of plasmid-encoded ESBL genes and their impact on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes in clinical and screening isolates. Methods: Multi-drug-resistant bacteria from hospitalized patients were collected during routine clinical surveillance from January 2022 to June 2023, and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined. Genotypes were extracted from long-read whole-genome sequencing data. Furthermore, plasmids and other mobile genetic elements associated with ESBL genes were characterized, and the ESBL genes were correlated to ceftazidime minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Results: In total, we identified four cases of plasmid-encoded ESBL gene duplications that match four genetically similar plasmids during the 18-month surveillance period: five Escherichia coli and three Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. As the ESBL genes were part of transposable elements, the surrounding sequence regions were duplicated as well. In-depth analysis revealed insertion sequence (IS)-mediated transposition mechanisms. Isolates with duplicated ESBL genes exhibited a higher MIC for ceftazidime in comparison to isolates with a single gene copy (3-256 vs. 1.5-32 mg/L, respectively). Conclusion: ESBL gene duplications led to an increased phenotypic resistance against ceftazidime. Our data suggest that ESBL gene duplications by an IS-mediated transposition are a relevant mechanism for how AMR develops in the clinical setting and is part of the microevolution of plasmids.

In vitro development of resistance against antipseudomonal agents: comparison of novel ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitor combinations and other ß-lactam agents.

We subjected seven P. aeruginosa isolates to a 10-day serial passaging against five antipseudomonal agents to evaluate resistance levels post-exposure and putative resistance mechanisms in terminal mutants were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing analysis. Meropenem (mean, 38-fold increase), cefepime (14.4-fold), and piperacillin-tazobactam (52.9-fold) terminal mutants displayed high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values compared to those obtained after exposure to ceftolozane-tazobactam (11.4-fold) and ceftazidime-avibactam (5.7-fold). Fewer isolates developed elevated MIC values for other ß-lactams and agents belonging to other classes when exposed to meropenem in comparison to other agents. Alterations in nalC and nalD, involved in the upregulation of the efflux pump system MexAB-OprM, were common and observed more frequently in isolates exposed to ceftazidime-avibactam and meropenem. These alterations, along with ones in mexR and amrR, provided resistance to most ß-lactams and levofloxacin but not imipenem. The second most common gene altered was mpl, which is involved in the recycling of the cell wall peptidoglycan. These alterations were mainly noted in isolates exposed to ceftolozane-tazobactam and piperacillin-tazobactam but also in one cefepime-exposed isolate. Alterations in other genes known to be involved in ß-lactam resistance (ftsI, oprD, phoP, pepA, and cplA) and multiple genes involved in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis were also present. The data generated here suggest that there is a difference in the mechanisms selected for high-level resistance between newer ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitor combinations and older agents. Nevertheless, the isolates exposed to all agents displayed elevated MIC values for other ß-lactams (except imipenem) and quinolones tested mainly due to alterations in the MexAB-OprM regulators that extrude these agents.

Genomic epidemiology and ceftazidime-avibactam high-level resistance mechanisms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in China from 2010 to 2022.

Ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) resistance is a huge threat in the clinic; however, the underlying mechanism responsible for high-level CZA resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) isolates remains unknown. In this study, a total of 5,763 P. aeruginosa isolates were collected from 2010 to 2022 to investigate the ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) high-level resistance mechanisms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) isolates in China. Fifty-six PER-producing isolates were identified, including 50 isolates carrying blaPER-1 in PA, and 6 isolates carrying blaPER-4. Of these, 82.1% (46/56) were classified as DTR-PA isolates, and 76.79% (43/56) were resistant to CZA. Importantly, blaPER-1 and blaPER-4 overexpression led to 16-fold and >1024-fold increases in the MICs of CZA, respectively. WGS revealed that the blaPER-1 gene was located in two different transferable IncP-2-type plasmids and chromosomes, whereas blaPER-4 was found only on chromosomes and was carried by a class 1 integron embedded in a Tn6485-like transposon. Overexpression of efflux pumps may be associated with high-level CZA resistance in blaPER-1-positive strains. Kinetic parameter analysis revealed that PER-4 exhibited a similar kcat/Km with ceftazidime and a high (∼3359-fold) IC50 value with avibactam compared to PER-1. Our study found that overexpression of PER-1 combined with enhanced efflux pump expression and the low affinity of PER-4 for avibactam contributes to high-level resistance to CZA. Additionally, the Tn6485-like transposon plays a significant role in disseminating blaPER. Urgent active surveillance is required to prevent the further spread of high-level CZA resistance in DTR-PA isolates.

Reduce susceptibility to cefiderocol in gram negative bacteria in children: Is hope already lost before it's even arrived?

BACKGROUND: In last years the diffusion of carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB) is increasing worldwide, mainly due to the expression of carbapenemases. Cefiderocol has molecular characteristics that ideally confers activity against all CR-GNB, but resistant strains have already been identified. We describe cefiderocol susceptibility profile among multi-drug resistant Gram-negative isolated from pediatric patients. METHODS: Prospective, single pediatric center study, 1st January 2020-15th June 2023. All GNB carbapenemases producers or phenotypically carbapenem-resistant isolated in the study period were tested for cefiderocol susceptibility. Clinical and microbiological data were collected. A descriptive analysis was performed, comparing the groups of cefiderocol-resistant vs. cefiderocol-susceptible Enterobacterales and non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria (NF-GNB). RESULTS: Forty-seven GNB were tested for cefiderocol susceptibility; 38% were cefiderocol-resistant: 16/30 (52%) among Enterobacterales and 2/17 (12%) among NF-GNB. None of the patients were previously exposed to cefiderocol. Looking at Enterobacterales, resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam was higher among cefiderocol-resistant vs. cefiderocol-susceptible strains (62% vs 36%, respectively), as MBL expression (67% vs. 36%, respectively). Too few NF-GNB were cefiderocol-resistance to draw any conclusion. No difference in ICU admission and mortality was identified comparing cefiderocol-resistant vs. susceptible strains. Patients colonized/infected by cefiderocol-resistant strains had been previously hospitalized more frequently. CONCLUSION: In our cohort cefiderocol resistance was mostly registered among Enterobacterales, and especially among MBL producers' strains (that were alongside resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam). This could be explained by the known possible cross resistance mechanism among ceftazidime/avibactam and cefiderocol. Also, correlation of cefiderocol-resistance with previous hospitalization could be associated with horizontal resistance transmission. Looking at our data, we believe that cefiderocol should be use cautiously, especially empirically and in monotherapy, due to the high resistance rate.

Olive oil nanoemulsion containing curcumin: antimicrobial agent against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

The present work aimed to develop, characterize, and evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of two nanoemulsions (NEs) containing 500 µg/mL of curcumin from Curcuma longa (CUR). These NEs, produced with heating, contain olive oil (5%) and the surfactants tween 80 (5%) and span 80 (2.5%), water q.s. 100 mL, and were stable for 120 days. NE-2-CUR presented Ø of 165.40 ± 2.56 nm, PDI of 0.254, ζ of - 33.20 ± 1.35 mV, pH of 6.49, and Entrapment Drug Efficiency (EE) of 99%. The NE-4-CUR showed a Ø of 105.70 ± 4.13 nm, PDI of 0.459, ζ of - 32.10 ± 1.45 mV, pH of 6.40 and EE of 99.29%. Structural characterization was performed using DRX and FTIR, thermal characterization using DSC and TG, and morphological characterization using SEM, suggesting that there is no significant change in the CUR present in the NEs and that they remain stable. The MIC was performed by the broth microdilution method for nine gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, as well as Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates resistant to antibiotics and biofilm and efflux pump producers. The NEs mostly showed a bacteriostatic profile. The MIC varied between 125 and 250 µg/mL. The most sensitive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, for which NE-2-CUR showed a MIC of 125 µg/mL. The NEs and ceftazidime (CAZ) interaction was also evaluated against the K. pneumoniae resistant clinical isolates using the Checkerboard method. NE-2-CUR and NE-4-CUR showed a synergistic or additive profile; there was a reduction in CAZ MICs between 256 times (K26-A2) and 2 times (K29-A2). Furthermore, the NEs inhibited these isolates biofilms formation. The NEs showed a MBIC ranging from 15.625 to 250 µg/mL. Thus, the NEs showed physicochemical characteristics suitable for future clinical trials, enhancing the CAZ antibacterial and antibiofilm activity, thus becoming a promising strategy for the treatment of bacterial infections caused by multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae. KEY POINTS: • The NEs showed physicochemical characteristics suitable for future clinical trials. • The NEs showed a synergistic/additive profile, when associated with ceftazidime. • The NEs inhibited biofilm formation of clinical isolates.

High ceftazidime-avibactam resistance among carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter species: Data from the Antimicrobial Testing Leadership and Surveillance (ATLAS) programme, 2014-2021.

OBJECTIVES: Trends in the susceptibility to ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) and tigecycline (TGC) among Enterobacter species from different geographic areas are unknown.This study aimed to analyse the trends in CZA and TGC susceptibility changes across different continents from 2014 to 2021 utilizing Antimicrobial Testing Leadership and Surveillance (ATLAS) data. METHODS: A total of 23 669 isolates of Enterobacter species were collected over an 8-y period. RESULTS: The overall non-susceptibility rate of Enterobacter isolates to both CZA and TGC was 3.2%. India (16.5%), Guatemala (15.4%), and the Philippines (13.1%) exhibited the highest resistance to CZA. The increase in CZA resistance rates was particularly evident in Asia, with an increase from 4.0% to 8.3%, and in Latin America, from 1.5% to 5%. The non-susceptibility rate for TGC mildly increased in Africa/Middle East but decreased in other continents during the study period. The overall rate of carbapenem resistance increased from 2.9% in 2014-2017 to 4.3% in 2018-2021. Among carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter isolates, the CZA resistance rate was highest in Asia (87.4%), followed by Europe (69.2%) and Africa/Middle East (60.8%). Among the 380 Enterobacter isolates resistant to CZA and carbapenem, the most common genotype of carbapenemase genes was blaNDM (59.2%), followed by blaVIM (24.2%), blaOXA (4.2%), blaIMP (1.1%), and blaKPC (1.1%). The susceptibility of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter to TGC remained high, with an overall susceptibility rate of 90%. CONCLUSIONS: The heterogeneous distribution of CZA resistance rates among different geographical regions highlights the divergent therapeutic options for drug-resistant Enterobacter species.

Global trends in nonsusceptibility rates of Escherichia coli isolates to meropenem and ceftazidime/avibactam: Data from the Antimicrobial Testing Leadership and Surveillance (ATLAS) programme, 2014-21.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the global changes in the nonsusceptibility rates of Escherichia coli to meropenem and ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA), we conducted a study using the Antimicrobial Testing Leadership and Surveillance database. METHODS: A total of 49 394 E. coli isolates were collected during the 8-year study period. RESULT: The countries with the highest nonsusceptible rates for meropenem were India (16.6%), followed by Pakistan (6.7%), Ukraine (5.4%), Qatar (5.3%), and Guatemala (3.2%). For CZA, the nonsusceptible rate was highest in India (15.6%), followed by Qatar (4.0%), Guatemala (3.9%), China (2.6%), and Thailand (2.5%). During the study period, the nonsusceptible rates of meropenem and CZA in E. coli increased in Asia, Latin America, and Africa/Middle East. Isolates from the medical ICU (odds ratio [OR], 4.62) and surgical ICU (OR, 3.98) were associated with a higher risk of CZA nonsusceptible rates. Compared to intestinal specimens, respiratory and genitourinary specimens had the highest OR (2.32 and 2.17) associated with CZA resistance. Further analysis of carbapenemase distribution showed an increase in the percentage of blaNDM-positive isolates and a decrease in blaKPC-positive isolates worldwide, especially in Latin America. Additionally, we observed a gradual decline in the prevalence of blaOXA-positive E. coli without concomitant carriage of metallo-ß-lactamase genes in the worldwide surveillance. CONCLUSIONS: Further surveillance is necessary to determine whether blaNDM -positive E. coli (i.e., CZA-resistant isolates) is increasing and leading to more superbugs spreading worldwide.

Activity of aztreonam-avibactam against Enterobacterales resistant to recently approved beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations collected in Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific Region (2020-2022).

BACKGROUND: Aztreonam-avibactam is under clinical development for treatment of infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), especially those resistant to recently approved ß-lactamase inhibitor combinations (BLICs). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a large collection of CRE isolates, including those non-susceptible to ceftazidime-avibactam, meropenem-vaborbactam, and/or imipenem-relebactam. METHODS: Overall, 24 580 Enterobacterales isolates were consecutively collected (1/patient) in 2020-2022 from 64 medical centres located in Western Europe (W-EU), Eastern Europe (E-EU), Latin America (LATAM), and the Asia-Pacific region (APAC). Of those, 1016 (4.1%) were CRE. Isolates were susceptibility tested by broth microdilution. CRE isolates were screened for carbapenemase genes by whole genome sequencing. RESULTS: Aztreonam-avibactam inhibited 99.6% of CREs at ≤8 mg/L. Ceftazidime-avibactam, meropenem-vaborbactam, and imipenem-relebactam were active against 64.6%, 57.4%, and 50.7% of CRE isolates, respectively; most of the non-susceptible isolates carried metallo-beta-lactamases. Aztreonam-avibactam was active against ≥98.9% of isolates non-susceptible to these BLICs. The activity of these BLICs varied by region, with highest susceptibility rates observed in W-EU (76.9% for ceftazidime-avibactam, 72.5% for meropenem-vaborbactam, 63.8% for imipenem-relebactam) and the lowest susceptibility rates identified in the APAC region (39.9% for ceftazidime-avibactam, 37.8% for meropenem-vaborbactam, and 27.5% for imipenem-relebactam). The most common carbapenemase types overall were KPC (44.6% of CREs), NDM (29.9%), and OXA-48-like (16.0%). KPC predominated in LATAM (64.1% of CREs in the region) and W-EU (61.1%). MBL occurrence was highest in APAC (59.5% of CREs in the region), followed by LATAM (34.0%), E-EU (28.9%), and W-EU (23.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Aztreonam-avibactam demonstrated potent activity against CRE isolates resistant to ceftazidime-avibactam, meropenem-vaborbactam, and/or imipenem-relebactam independent of the carbapenemase produced.

The pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of ceftazidime/avibactam for central nervous system infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negatives: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of ceftazidime/avibactam in critically ill patients with CNS infections. METHODS: A prospective study of critically ill patients with CNS infections who were treated with ceftazidime/avibactam and the steady-state concentration (Css) of ceftazidime/avibactam in serum and/or CSF was conducted between August 2020 and May 2023. The relationship between PK/PD goal achievement, microbial eradication and the clinical efficacy of ceftazidime/avibactam was evaluated. RESULTS: Seven patients were finally included. The ceftazidime/avibactam target attainment in plasma was optimal for three, quasi-optimal for one and suboptimal for three. In three patients with CSF drug concentrations measured, ceftazidime/avibactam target attainment in CSF was 100% (3/3), which was optimal. The AUCCSF/serum values were 0.59, 0.44 and 0.35 for ceftazidime and 0.57, 0.53 and 0.51 for avibactam. Of the seven patients, 100% (7/7) were treated effectively, 71.4% (5/7) achieved microbiological eradication, 85.7% (6/7) survived and 14.3% (1/7) did not survive. CONCLUSIONS: The limited clinical data suggest that ceftazidime/avibactam is effective in the treatment of CNS infections caused by MDR Gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB), can achieve the ideal drug concentration of CSF, and has good blood-brain barrier penetration.