Use of non-carbapenem antibiotics to treat severe extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae infections in intensive care unit patients

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of non-carbapenem antibiotics to treat severe extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) infections in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. This retrospective observational study conducted in two ICUs compared the outcomes of patients with ESBL-E infections administered a carbapenem or a non-carbapenem antibiotic as their definitive treatment. The primary outcome was treatment failure within 30 days, a composite endpoint of ESBL-E infection recurrence and 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included 30-day and in-hospital mortality rates, ESBL-E infection recurrence and infection(s) due to other pathogen(s). Among 107 patients included in the study, 67 received a carbapenem and 40 received a non-carbapenem antibiotic as their definitive treatment. Clinical characteristics of the two groups were similar. Comparing patients given a non-carbapenem antibiotic with those administered a carbapenem, they had similar 30-day treatment failure (43% vs. 61%, respectively; P = 0.06) and ESBL-E infection recurrence rates (25% vs. 22%; P = 0.8), but the former had lower 30-day mortality (23% vs. 45%; P = 0.02) and in-hospital mortality rates (23% vs. 49%; P = 0.005). Secondary infection rates caused by other pathogen(s), including Clostridium difficile, were comparable. Outcomes were comparable regardless of whether or not patients received an empirical carbapenem. For ICU patients with severe ESBL-E infections, treatment with a non-carbapenem antibiotic was not associated with poorer outcomes compared with a carbapenem antibiotic.