Ceftazidime-avibactam alone or in combination with Aztreonam versus Polymyxins in the management of carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae nosocomial Infections (CAPRI study): a retrospective cohort study from South India.

INTRODUCTION: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infections commonly cause hospital-acquired infections. The study aimed to compare the outcomes of CRKP infections between patients receiving ceftazidime avibactam +/- aztreonam and polymyxins in a hospital setting with a high prevalence of New Delhi Metallo Beta Lactamase production. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study from January 2020 to September 2022 in critically ill adult patients admitted to a non-COVID-19 medical intensive care unit with CRKP infection. The patients were followed up for a total of 30 days or death, whichever was later. RESULTS: Of a total of 106 patients included in the study, 65 patients received polymyxins and 41 patients received ceftazidime-avibactam +/- aztreonam. Higher 30-day mortality was noted in the polymyxin group (56.9% vs. 29.2%, P = 0.005). The mean time to event (mortality) in ceftazidime-avibactam +/- aztreonam was 23.9 + 1.5 days which was significantly higher compared to polymyxins (17.9 + 1.2 days, p = 0.006). On Cox regression analysis, after adjusting for the covariates, the hazard ratio for time to event with the use of polymyxin was 2.02 (95% CI: 1.03-3.9). CONCLUSION: Ceftazidime-avibactam + aztreonam is possibly associated with better clinical outcomes in patients infected with CRKP.

Disseminated Medicopsis romeroi infection in a kidney transplant recipient: A case report.

Medicopsis romeroi is a rare, dematiaceous fungus that is difficult to identify using conventional fungal tests. Although uncommon, immunocompromised patients are particularly susceptible to this opportunistic fungus. Here, we report the case of a renal transplant recipient who presented with painful disseminated subcutaneous and soft tissue lesions. Sequencing of the Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA identified the fungus as Medicopsis romeroi. Additionally, tissue samples from a non-healing wound on the left forearm grew Rhizopus spp. on Sabouraud dextrose agar, indicating a Mucormycosis superinfection. The patient's condition improved with surgical intervention and antifungal therapy with Posaconazole and Terbinafine. This case demonstrates the need for a high index of suspicion in order to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment and thus reduce the risk of dissemination.