Carbapenem-resistant Pathogens Research Articles

Detection and characterization of eravacycline heteroresistance in clinical bacterial isolates.

Eravacycline (ERV) has emerged as a therapeutic option for the treatment of carbapenem-resistant pathogens. However, the advent of heteroresistance (HR) to ERV poses a challenge to these therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to investigate ERV HR prevalence among common clinical isolates and further characterize ERV HR in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP). A total of 280 clinical pathogens from two centers were selected for HR and analyzed using population analysis profiling (PAP) and modified E-tests. The PAP assay revealed an overall ERV HR prevalence of 0.7% (2/280), with intermediate heterogeneity observed in 24.3% (68/280) of strains. The proportion of heteroresistant strains was 18.3% according to modified E-test results. A time-killing assay demonstrated that CRKP CFU increased significantly after 10 h of ERV treatment, contributing to the reduced bactericidal effect of ERV in vitro. Interestingly, dual treatment with ERV and polymyxin B effectively inhibited the total CFU, simultaneously reducing the required polymyxin B concentration. Furthermore, fitness cost measurements revealed a growth trade-off in CRKP upon acquiring drug resistance, highlighting fitness costs as crucial factors in the emergence of ERV HR in CRKP. Overall, the findings of the current study suggest that ERV HR in clinical strains presents a potential obstacle in its clinical application.

The Clinical Efficacy of Adding Ceftazidime/Avibactam to Standard Therapy in Treating Infections Caused by Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumonia with blaOXA-48-like Genes.

Ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ-AVI) is FDA-approved for managing infections caused by resistant gram-negative bacilli, particularly infections via carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales pathogens. The clinical data are still limited, particularly those in Saudi Arabia. The present study is a retrospective cohort study that was carried out at the Armed Forces Hospital in the southern region of Saudi Arabia to compare the clinical and microbiological outcomes for CAZ-AVI-treated patients as monotherapy and as an add-on to standard therapy for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia (CRKP) OXA-48 infections to those treated with standard drugs. The study included CRKP OXA-48-like infected patients who were administered antibiotics for more than seven days from 1 August 2018 to May 2023. Patients' baseline characteristics and demography were extracted from the clinical records, and their clinical/microbiology efficiencies were assessed as per the corresponding definitions. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to identify the potential independent variable for CAZ-AVI efficiency. A total of 114 patient files were included for the evaluation. Among these patients, 64 used CAZ-AVI combined with standard therapy and were included in the intervention group, and 50 of them used standard therapy and were included in the comparative group. Following analysis, CAZ-AVI's clinical success was 42.2% (p = 0.028), while the intervention versus comparative groups showed decreased 30-day all-cause mortality (50.0% versus 70.0%; p = 0.036) and infection recurrence (7.8% versus 24.0%; p = 0.019), as well as substantially increased rates of microbial eradication (68.8% versus 42.0%; p = 0.007). CAZ-AVI add-on therapy rather than monotherapy showed statistically significant favored clinical and microbial outcomes over the standard therapy. Furthermore, sex (female %), ICU admission, and fever were negatively associated with patients' 30-day all-cause mortality, serving as independent negative factors. Only fever, CRP bio levels, inotropes, and ICU admissions were significant predictors influencing the CAZ-AVI's clinical efficiency. The duration of CAZ-AVI therapy positively influenced CAZ-AVI's microbial eradication, while both WBC counts and fever experiences were negative predictors. This study shows the effective usage of CAZ-AVI against CRKP OXA-48-like infections. The influencing independent variables depicted here should recommend that clinicians individualize the CAZ-AVI dose based on co-existing risk factors to achieve optimal survival and efficacy. Prospective multicenter and randomized control studies are recommended, with individualized CAZ-AVI precision administration implemented based on patients' characteristics.

Early administration of ceftazidime-avibactam for effective antibacterial therapy of infections caused by carbapenem-resistant pathogens

Early administration of ceftazidime-avibactam for effective antibacterial therapy of infections caused by carbapenem-resistant pathogens

2523. Outcomes by Resistance Phenotype and Genotype among Baseline Pathogen in Patients with Complicated Urinary Tract Infection (cUTI) in the Phase 3 CERTAIN-1 Study

Abstract Background Taniborbactam is an investigational β-lactamase inhibitor that restores cefepime (FEP) activity against FEP-, carbapenem-, and multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa producing serine- and metallo-β-lactamases. Cefepime-taniborbactam (FTB) was superior to meropenem (MEM) for the primary composite endpoint of microbiologic and clinical success at test of cure (TOC) in adults with cUTI in the CERTAIN-1 study (NCT03840148). We assessed outcomes in subsets defined by baseline pathogen resistance phenotype and genotype. Methods Composite, microbiologic and clinical responses at TOC were assessed in the extended microbiologic intent-to-treat (microITT) population (patients with Enterobacterales and/or P. aeruginosa at ≥105 CFU/mL in urine at study entry against which at least 1 study drug had activity [FTB MIC ≤16 µg/mL; MEM MIC ≤2 µg/mL (Enterobacterales) or ≤4 µg/mL (P. aeruginosa)]). Phenotypic subsets included FEP-, multidrug-, and/or carbapenem resistance. Genotypic subsets included carriage of ESBL, extended-spectrum AmpC, plasmidic AmpC, and/or carbapenemase genes. Results For patients in the FTB treatment group with Enterobacterales at baseline, composite, microbiologic, and clinical success rates in resistant subsets were similar to or higher than those overall (Table). FTB achieved composite success in 7/8 patients with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and in 8/9 patients with Enterobacterales producing a carbapenemase (5 OXA-48-group; 2 KPC-3, 2 NDM-1). FTB achieved composite success in 8/16 patients (clinical success in 13/16 patients) with P. aeruginosa overall; from 1 to 5 patients in the FTB group had P. aeruginosa in defined resistance categories. Conclusion FTB demonstrated efficacy in cUTI patients infected with cefepime-, multidrug-, and carbapenem-resistant pathogens and pathogens carrying ESBL, AmpC, and carbapenemase genes. Rates of success at TOC in each resistance subset were similar to or higher than those overall. These results are consistent with the ability of taniborbactam to restore cefepime activity against cefepime-, multidrug-, and carbapenem-resistant gram-negative pathogens producing serine and metallo-β-lactamases in nonclinical studies. Disclosures Greg Moeck, PhD, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA): Grant/Research Support|Everest Medicines: Grant/Research Support|Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP Foundation): Grant/Research Support|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Grant/Research Support|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employee, stock options and shareholder Leanne Gasink, MD, MSCE, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA): Grant/Research Support|CSL Behring: Advisor/Consultant|CSL Behring: Consulting fees|Everest Medicines: Grant/Research Support|Evopint Biosciences: Advisor/Consultant|Evopint Biosciences: Consulting fees|Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP Foundation): Grant/Research Support|LBG Consulting, LLC: Principal|Spero Therapeutics: Advisor/Consultant|Spero Therapeutics: Consulting fees|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Advisor/Consultant|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Grant/Research Support|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consulting fees|Vera Therapeutics: Advisor/Consultant|Vera Therapeutics: Consulting fees Mary Beth Dorr, PhD, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA): Grant/Research Support|Everest Medicines: Grant/Research Support|Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP Foundation): Grant/Research Support|Merck and Co.: Shareholder|Pfizer: Shareholder|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Grant/Research Support|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employee, stock options and shareholder Hongzi Chen, PhD, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA): Grant/Research Support|Everest Medicines: Grant/Research Support|Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP Foundation): Grant/Research Support|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Grant/Research Support|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employee|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Stocks/Bonds Rodrigo E. Mendes, PhD, AbbVie: Grant/Research Support|Basilea: Grant/Research Support|Cipla: Grant/Research Support|Entasis: Grant/Research Support|GSK: Grant/Research Support|Paratek: Grant/Research Support|Pfizer: Grant/Research Support|Shionogi: Grant/Research Support Florian Wagenlehner, MD, Achaogen: Advisory Board member, study participation|Astellas: Honoraria|AstraZeneca: Honoraria|AstraZeneca: Advisory Board member|Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA): Grant/Research Support|Bionorica: Honoraria|Bionorica: Meeting/travel support, study participation|Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF): Study participation|Enteris BioPharma: Study participation|Everest Medicines: Grant/Research Support|German S3 guideline Urinary tract infections: Board Member|Glaxo Smith Kline: Advisor/Consultant|Glaxo Smith Kline: Honoraria|Glaxo Smith Kline: Consulting fees, meeting/travel support, advisory board member, principal investigator in a GSK-sponsored study|Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP Foundation): Grant/Research Support|Guidelines European Association of Urology: Infections in Urology: Board Member|Helperby Therapeutics: Study participation|Janssen: Honoraria|Janssen: Advisory Board member|Klosterfrau: Honoraria|LeoPharma: Advisory Board member|MerLion: Advisory Board member|MIP Pharma: Honoraria|MSD: Advisory Board member|OM Pharma/Vifor Pharma: Advisory Board member, study participation|OM-Pharma: Honoraria|Pfizer: Honoraria|Pfizer: Advisory Board member|RosenPharma: Advisory Board member|Shionogi: Advisory Board member, study participation|Speaker research group German research foundation (DFG) Bacterial Renal Infections and Defense (FOR 5427): Study participation|Spero Therapeutics: Advisor/Consultant|Spero Therapeutics: Consulting fees|University Hospital Giessen and Marburg GmbH, and Justus Liebig University, Germany: Employee|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Advisor/Consultant|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Grant/Research Support|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consulting fees, Advisory Board member Tim Henkel, MD, PhD, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA): Grant/Research Support|Everest Medicines: Grant/Research Support|Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP Foundation): Grant/Research Support|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Advisor/Consultant|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employee, consulting fees, shareholder Paul McGovern, MD, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA): Grant/Research Support|Everest Medicines: Grant/Research Support|Global Antibiotic Research and Development Partnership (GARDP Foundation): Grant/Research Support|Paratek Pharmaceuticals: Shareholder|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Grant/Research Support|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employee, stock options and shareholder

Involvement of Tn3 transposon in formation and transmission of hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

ABSTRACT Hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae poses a severe threat to public health for its high pathogenicity, transmissibility, and drug resistance. This study aims to explore the evolutionary path and the role of Tn3 transposon in the virulence and carbapenem resistance transmission of K. pneumoniae . Bioinformatics analysis and some experimental tests such as plasmid conjugation experiments, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and virulence-associated tests were performed to explore the virulence and drug resistance transmission. The complete genome sequencing, S1 nuclease pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and bioinformatics analysis were used to investigate their transmission mechanism mediated by Tn3 transposons. Three hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates, which were obtained from different patients at different time points in the same ward, harbored a virulence plasmid and a carbapenem resistance plasmid. They were confirmed to have first evolved from hypervirulent isolates and then acquired a bla KPC -positive plasmid (CR-hvKp evolutionary pattern). The non-conjugative virulence plasmid pVir could be transferred to other bacterial strains via mobilization by the conjugative IncN/U-type plasmid pKPC, as well as by fusing with the conjugative pKPC plasmid (mediated by Tn3-based homologous recombination) to be self-transmissible, thus transferring drug resistance and virulence. The cointegration, pVir/KPC fusion plasmid, was further resolved into pVir and pKPC between the duplicated copies of the Tn3 transposon resolution site mediated by site-specific recombination. Therefore, Tn3 transposons can mediate hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae strains transferring drug resistance and virulence to other bacteria. We must be vigilant to emerging transposon-mediated hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant pathogens. IMPORTANCE Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) is resistant to most common antibiotics, becoming the most important and prevalent nosocomial opportunity pathogen. Besides, K. pneumoniae can also cause severe community-acquired infections, such as primary liver abscess and endophthalmitis. These pathogens are commonly referred to as hvKp. CRKP and hvKp have evolved separately, each occupying its own clonal lineage and exhibiting a variety of properties. Our study provides important insights into the evolutionary events related to the arousal of virulence and drug resistance in K. pneumoniae through plasmid transmission, mediated by Tn3 transposon. Our study also provides evidence that multiple mechanisms contribute to the successful transfer of non-conjugative virulence plasmid, and the involvement of transposons enhances the efficiency. A good knowledge of its transmission mechanisms is fundamental to finding effective strategies to combat these threatening pathogens. Transposons are widely present in bacteria, spreading resistance and virulence genes between the environment and humans. Therefore, emerging transposon-mediated hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant pathogens should be highly valued.

Ceftazidime/Avibactam and Meropenem/Vaborbactam for the Management of Enterobacterales Infections: A Narrative Review, Clinical Considerations, and Expert Opinion.

This comprehensive review examines the unique attributes, distinctions, and clinical implications of ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) and meropenem-vaborbactam (MEM-VAB) against difficult-to-treat Enterobacterales infections. Our manuscript explores these antibiotics' pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, antimicrobial activities, in vitro susceptibility testing, and clinical data. Moreover, it includes a meticulous examination of comparative clinical and microbiological studies, assessed and presented to provide clarity in making informed treatment choices for clinicians. Finally, we propose an expert opinion from a microbiological and a clinical point of view about their use in appropriate clinical settings. This is the first review aiming to provide healthcare professionals with valuable insights for making informed treatment decisions when combating carbapenem-resistant pathogens.

Novel metallo-β-lactamases inhibitors restore the susceptibility of carbapenems to New Delhi metallo-lactamase-1 (NDM-1)-harbouring bacteria.

The production of metallo-β-lactamases is a major mechanisms adopted by bacterial pathogens to resist carbapenems. Repurposing approved drugs to restore the efficacy of carbapenems represents an efficient and cost-effective approach to fight infections caused by carbapenem resistant pathogens. The nitrocefin hydrolysis assay was employed to screen potential New Delhi metallo-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) inhibitors from a commercially available U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug library. The mechanism of inhibition was clarified by metal restoration, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and molecular dynamics simulation. The in vitro synergistic antibacterial effect of the identified inhibitors with meropenem was determined by the checkerboard minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay, time-dependent killing assay and combined disc test. Three mouse infection models were used to further evaluate the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of combined therapy. Twelve FDA-approved compounds were initially screened to inhibit the ability of NDM-1 to hydrolyse nitrocefin. Among these compounds, dexrazoxane, embelin, candesartan cilexetil and nordihydroguaiaretic acid were demonstrated to inhibit all tested metallo-β-lactamases and showed an in vitro synergistic bactericidal effect with meropenem against metallo-β-lactamases-producing bacteria. Dexrazoxane, embelin and candesartan cilexetil are metal ion chelating agents, while the inhibition of NDM-1 by nordihydroguaiaretic acid involves its direct binding to the active region of NDM-1. Furthermore, these four drugs dramatically rescued the treatment efficacy of meropenem in three infection models. Our observations indicated that dexrazoxane, embelin, candesartan cilexetil and nordihydroguaiaretic acid are promising carbapenem adjuvants against metallo-β-lactamases-positive carbapenem resistant bacterial pathogens.

Use of Ceftazidime-Avibactam for Suspected or Confirmed Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms in Children: A Retrospective Study.

The incidence of carbapenem-resistant organism (CRO) infections is increasing in children. However, pediatric-specific treatment strategies present unique challenges. Ceftazidime/avibactam is a β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination, showing adequate efficiency against CRO isolates. However, clinical data on the efficacy of ceftazidime/avibactam in children are still lacking. This was a retrospective study of children (aged <18 years) infected with confirmed or suspected carbapenem-resistant pathogens and treated with ceftazidime-avibactam at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between 2020 and 2022. We identified 38 children aged 14 (5.0-16.3) years; 20 (52.6%) had hematologic malignancies. 25 children with confirmed CRO infections were administered ceftazidime-avibactam as targeted therapy. The median treatment was 10 (6.0-16.5) days. Among them, 24 had infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) (18 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and six carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli species) and one with carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. The source of infection was the bloodstream in 60.0% of the cases (15/25). The clinical response rate was 84.0% (21/25), and 30-day mortality rate was 20% (5/25). 13 children were administered ceftazidime-avibactam as empiric therapy for suspected infections. The median treatment was 8 (6.0-13.0) days. No deaths occurred and clinical response was achieved in 12 of the 13 patients (92.3%) who empirically treated with ceftazidime-avibactam. Ceftazidime-avibactam is important for improving survival, and clinical response in children with infections caused by CRO.

CRISPR-Cas13a-Based Assay for Accurate Detection of OXA-48 and GES Carbapenemases.

Carbapenem-resistant pathogens have been recognized as a health concern as they are both difficult to treat and detect in clinical microbiology laboratories. Researchers are making great efforts to develop highly specific, sensitive, accurate, and rapid diagnostic techniques, required to prevent the spread of these microorganisms and improve the prognosis of patients. In this context, CRISPR-Cas systems are proposed as promising tools for the development of diagnostic methods due to their high specificity; the Cas13a endonuclease can discriminate single nucleotide changes and displays collateral cleavage activity against single-stranded RNA molecules when activated. This technology is usually combined with isothermal pre-amplification reactions in order to increase its sensitivity. We have developed a new LAMP-CRISPR-Cas13a-based assay for the detection of OXA-48 and GES carbapenemases in clinical samples without the need for nucleic acid purification and concentration. To evaluate the assay, we used 68 OXA-48-like-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates as well as 64 Enterobacter cloacae complex GES-6, 14 Pseudomonas aeruginosa GES-5, 9 Serratia marcescens GES-6, 5 P. aeruginosa GES-6, and 3 P. aeruginosa (GES-15, GES-27, and GES-40) and 1 K. pneumoniae GES-2 isolates. The assay, which takes less than 2 h and costs approximately 10 € per reaction, exhibited 100% specificity and sensitivity (99% confidence interval [CI]) for both OXA-48 and all GES carbapenemases. IMPORTANCE Carbapenems are one of the last-resort antibiotics for defense against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Multiple nucleic acid amplification methods, including multiplex PCR, multiplex loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and multiplex RPAs, can achieve rapid, accurate, and simultaneous detection of several resistance genes to carbapenems in a single reaction. However, these assays need thermal cycling steps and specialized instruments, giving them limited application in the field. In this work, we adapted with high specificity and sensitivity values, a new LAMP CRISPR-Cas13a-based assay for the detection of OXA-48 and GES carbapenemases in clinical samples without the need for RNA extraction.

Ceftazidime/avibactam experience in tertiary hospital in Türkiye

Aims: Real-life experience with ceftazidime/avibactam in the treatment of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is still limited. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy of ceftazidime/avibactam in the treatment of critically ill patients with infections due to carbapenem-resistant pathogens. Methods: In our study, patients who were hospitalized in the ICUs of our hospital for more than three days between 01-01-2022 and 31-12-2022, who had only ceftazidime/avibactam susceptibility growth and were started on ceftazidime/avibactam treatment were retrospectively analyzed. 38 patients older than 18 years of age were included in the study. Results: Pneumonia was the most common cause of hospitalization in the ICU, followed by cerebrovascular events and internal diseases, respectively. The mean time from taking the culture samples to obtaining the laboratory results was 4.6 ±1.46 days. After the culture result was confirmed by the laboratory, the mean time between the patient's consultation by infection diseases specialist and initiation of treatment was 1.7±1.3 days. Patients received a mean of 10.6 ±4.63 days of CAZ-AVI treatment as monotherapy (57.9%) or combined therapy (42.1). Clinical response was obtained in 52.6% of the patients, and microbiological response was obtained in 63.2% of the patients. The 90-day all-cause mortality rate of patients receiving CAZ-AVI was 60.5% (n=23), and the mortality rate attributed to 14-day infection was 52.17%. Side effects developed in 18.4% of the patients. None of the developed side effects were such as to require discontinuation of treatment. There was no statistical difference in clinical response and microbiological response in patients receiving combination therapy and monotherapy. Mortality was significantly lower in patients receiving CAZ-AVI monotherapy (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: We attribute our low clinical success to the late initiation of treatment due to drug reimbursement criteria. Therefore, we think that CAZ-AVI treatment should be started empirically and as soon as possible. We think that our study is valuable in terms of showing that CAZ-AVI treatment should be given in empirical treatment.

Carbapenem Use in the Last Days of Life: A Nationwide Korean Study

The appropriate use of carbapenem is a critical concern for patient safety and public health, and is a national priority. We investigated the nationwide status of carbapenem prescription in patients within their last 14 days of life to guide judicious-use protocols from the previous study comprised of 1350 decedents. Carbapenem use was universally controlled through computerised authorisation system at all centres during the study period. Carbapenem prescribing patterns and their optimality were evaluated. A total of 1201 patients received antimicrobial agents within the last two weeks of their lives, of whom 533 (44.4%) received at least one carbapenem. The median carbapenem treatment duration was seven days. Of the 533 patients receiving carbapenems, 510 (95.7%) patients had microbiological samples drawn and 196 (36.8%) yielded carbapenem-resistant pathogens. A total of 200 (37.5%) patients were referred to infectious disease (ID) specialists. Of the 333 patients (62.5%) who did not have ID consultations, 194 (58.2%) were assessed as “not optimal”, 79 (23.7%) required escalation, 100 (30.0%) required de-escalation, and 15 (4.5%) were discontinued. Notwithstanding the existing antibiotic restriction program system, carbapenems are commonly prescribed to patients in their last days of life.

Burden of severe infections due to carbapenem-resistant pathogens in intensive care unit.

Intensive care units (ICU) for various reasons, including the increasing age of admitted patients, comorbidities, and increasingly complex surgical procedures (e.g., transplants), have become "the epicenter" of nosocomial infections, these are characterized by the presence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) as the cause of infection. Therefore, the perfect match of fragile patients and MDROs, as the cause of infection, makes ICU mortality very high. Furthermore, carbapenems were considered for years as last-resort antibiotics for the treatment of infections caused by MDROs; unfortunately, nowadays carbapenem resistance, mainly among Gram-negative pathogens, is a matter of the highest concern for worldwide public health. This comprehensive review aims to outline the problem from the intensivist's perspective, focusing on the new definition and epidemiology of the most common carbapenem-resistant MDROs (Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacterales) to emphasize the importance of the problem that must be permeating clinicians dealing with these diseases.

[Regularity of ventilator-associated pneumonia induced by three common pathogens].

To investigate the incidence and infection regularity of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients undergoing tracheal intubation and to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of VAP infection in the future. A retrospective study was conducted to collect the microbial data of airway secretion cultures from 72 patients with endotracheal intubation admitted to the emergency ward of Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital from May 2020 to February 2021, and the species of microorganisms and intubation time were statistically analyzed. Among 72 patients with endotracheal intubation, males were more than females (58.33% vs. 41.67%); Patients over 60 years old accounted for 90.28%; pneumonia was the main primary disease, accounting for 58.33%. Pathogenic tests showed that: (1) 72 patients were infected with Acinetobacter baumannii (AB), Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) 48 hours after intubation, 51.39% (37/72), 27.78% (20/72), and 26.39% (19/72), respectively. The infection rate of AB was significantly higher than that of KP and PA. Within 48 hours of intubation, the infection rates of AB, KP, and PA were 20.83% (15/72), 13.89% (10/72), and 4.17% (3/72), respectively. Of the 42 patients with primary pneumonia, 61.90% (26/42) were infected with one or more of the three pathogenic bacteria AB, KP, and PA 48 hours after intubation, indicating a change in the etiology of the pathogenic bacteria, with the main pathogenic bacteria transitioning from other pathogenic bacteria to AB, KP, and PA. (2) AB, KP, and PA were prone to cause late onset VAP (i.e., intubation ≥ 5 days). Respectively, among VAP patients infected with AB, late onset VAP accounted for 59.46% (22/37). Among patients infected with KP, 75.00% (15/20) had late onset VAP. Among patients infected with PA, late onset VAP accounted for 94.74% (18/19), indicating a higher proportion of late onset VAP caused by PA and KP. (3) Infection was closely related to intubation time, and the pipeline can be replaced according to the peak period of infection. AB and KP infections peaked within 4 days after intubation, reaching 57.69% (30/52) and 50.00% (15/30), respectively. It is recommended to replace the tubes or undergo sensitive antimicrobial therapy around 3-4 days after starting the machine. The proportion of PA infection after 7 days of intubation was 72.73% (16/22), and it was considered to replace the pipeline after 7 days. (4) Most of the three pathogenic bacteria, AB, KP, and PA were carbapenem resistant pathogens with multiple drug resistance. Except for PA, the infection rate of carbapenem resistant bacteria (CRAB, CRKP) was significantly higher than that of non-carbapenem resistant bacteria (AB, KP), accounting for 86.54% (45/52) and 66.67% (20/30) of the corresponding infection cases, respectively, while CRPA only accounts for 18.18% (4/22). The main differences in VAP infection caused by AB, KP, and PA pathogens are infection time, infection probability, and carbapenem resistance. Targeted prevention and treatment measures can be implemented for patients with intubation.

EptA of Riemerella anatipestifer mediates phenotypes involved in colistin resistance and virulence.

Colistin (polymyxin E) is a group of cationic antimicrobial cyclic peptides and is recognized as a last-resort defense against lethal infections with carbapenem-resistant pathogens. In addition to the plasmid-borne mobilized phosphoethanolamine (PEA) transferases, the functional expression of lipid A-modifying enzymes encoded on chromosomes has been attributed to intrinsic bacterial colistin resistance. However, the mechanisms of colistin resistance in Riemerella anatipestifer remain unknown. Herein, the GE296_RS09715 gene-encoded Lipid A PEA transferases (RaEptA) was identified in R. anatipestifer. Genetic and structural analyses revealed that the amino acid sequence of RaEptA shared 26.6%-33.1% similarities with the family of Lipid A PEA transferases (EptA) and MCR-like proteins and have defined 12 residues that contribute to the formation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)-recognizable cavities. Comparative analyses of colistin resistance in RA-LZ01 and RA-LZ01ΔRaEptA showed the level of colistin has fallen from 96 μg mL-1 down to 24 ~ 32 μg mL-1 . Site-directed mutagenesis assay of the PE-binding cavity and expression of the mutants reveals that K309-rRaEptA can remodel the surface of Escherichia coli and rendering it resistant to colistin, suggesting this point-mutation of P309K is necessary for EptA-mediated lipid A modification. Moreover, the virulence of RA-LZ01ΔRaEptA was attenuated compared with RA-LZ01 both in vivo and vitro. Taken together, the results represent the RaEptA involved in the colistin resistance and pathogenicity, and the P309K mutation might alter bacterial adaptation and increase the spread of colistin resistance from R. anatipestifer to other gram-negative bacteria. The findings of this study suggest another scenario for the spread of colistin resistance genes and should be considered by a wide audience.

Treatment options for multidrug-resistant Gram-negatives in urinary tract infections.

Infections due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria are challenging to treat because of limited treatment options and potential side effects of less frequently used anti-infectives. In the past few years, several new antimicrobial agents effective against MDR Gram-negatives have become available. This review focuses on the treatment options for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) caused by MDR Gram-negatives. The novel combinations, betalactam or carbapenem and betalactamase inhibitor, ceftazidime/avibactam and meropenem/vaborbactam, are effective for infections caused by KPC-carbapenemase-producing pathogens. Imipenem/relebactam, another carbapenem/betalactamase inhibitor combination, has been approved for the treatment of cUTI. However, data on the efficacy of imipenem/relebactam against carbapenem-resistant pathogens is still limited. Ceftolozane/tazobactam is mainly used for the treatment of MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. For the treatment of cUTI caused by extended-spectrum betalactamases producing Enterobacterales aminoglycosides or intravenous fosfomycin should be considered. To ensure prudent use and to avoid the development of resistance to novel anti-infective substances, an interdisciplinary approach, including urologists, microbiologists, and infectious disease physicians, is strongly advised.

Capsular Polysaccharide Is Essential for the Virulence of the Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogen Enterobacter hormaechei.

Nosocomial infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC) pathogens are on the rise. However, the virulence strategies employed by these pathogens remain elusive. Here, we study the interaction of ECC clinical isolates with human serum to define how this pathogen evades the antimicrobial action of complement, one of the first lines of host-mediated immune defense. We identified a small number of serum-sensitive strains, including Enterobacter hormaechei strain NR3055, which we exploited for the in vitro selection of serum-resistant clones. Comparative genomics between the serum-sensitive NR3055 strain and the isolated serum-resistant clones revealed a premature stop codon in the wzy gene of the capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis locus of NR3055. The complementation of wzy conferred serum resistance to NR3055, prevented the deposition of complement proteins on the bacterial surface, inhibited phagocytosis by human neutrophils, and rendered the bacteria virulent in a mouse model of peritonitis. Mice exposed to a nonlethal dose of encapsulated NR3055 were protected from subsequent lethal infections by encapsulated NR3055, whereas mice that were previously exposed to unencapsulated NR3055 succumbed to infection. Thus, capsule is a key immune evasion determinant for E. hormaechei, and it is a potential target for prophylactics and therapeutics to combat these increasingly MDR human pathogens. IMPORTANCE Infections caused by antimicrobial resistant bacteria are of increasing concern, especially those due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae pathogens. Included in this group are species of the Enterobacter cloacae complex, regarding which there is a paucity of knowledge on the infection biology of the pathogens, despite their clinical relevance. In this study, we combine techniques in comparative genomics, bacterial genetics, and diverse models of infection to establish capsule as an important mechanism of Enterobacter pathogens to resist the antibacterial activity of serum, a first line of host defense against bacterial infections. We also show that immune memory targeting the Enterobacter capsule protects against lethal infection. The further characterization of Enterobacter infection biology and the immune response to infection are needed for the development of therapies and preventative interventions targeting these highly antibiotic resistant pathogens.

The First Experience of Combined Use of Cefepime/Sulbactam and Aztreonam in ICU Patients with Nosocomial Infections Caused by Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Microorganisms Producing Class B and D Carbapenemases

Background. The difficulties of antibacterial therapy of infections caused by carbapenemase-producing  gram-negative bacteria are associated with limited options for adequate therapy since, in addition to resistance to carbapenems and other beta-lactams, these microorganisms are often characterized by associated resistance to other classes of antibiotics, including polymyxins. In vitro data support the idea of combined use of inhibitor-protected cephalosporins with aztreonam for the treatment of such infections. The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of cefepime/sulbactam (FEP/SB) in combination with aztreonam (ATM) in infections caused by class B and D carbapenemase producers.Methods. A prospective observational study evaluated the effectiveness of the combination of FEP/SB + ATM in ICU patients with nosocomial infections complicated by sepsis or septic shock caused by carbapenem-resistant pathogens with documented production of class B or D carbapenemase. The ineffectiveness of previous treatment and the absence of other options for adequate therapy were used as inclusion criteria. Microbiological, clinical efficacy, and 30-day mortality were indicators of therapy evaluation.Results. The study included 25 patients with nosocomial infection (76% of them was VAP), with sepsis (60%) or septic shock (40%) and an average SOFA score of 6 points caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae (23 patients) or Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2) producing carbapenemases OXA-48 (56%), NDM (20%), NDM + OXA-48 (16%), and class B carbapenemase in two strains of P. aeruginosa. The average daily dose of FEP/SB and ATM was 6.6 g, the duration of therapy was 9.9 days. As a result of the treatment, eradication was achieved in 68% of patients, clinical efficacy was 72%, and the 30-day mortality rate was 28%.Conclusion. Our results show good clinical and bacteriological efficacy of the combination of FEP/SB and ATM in infections caused by extremely resistant K. pneumoniae, non-susceptible to carbapenems and producing class B or D carbapenemase.

Epidemiology and outcomes of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients: the EUROBACT-2 international cohort study.

In the critically ill, hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSI) are associated with significant mortality. Granular data are required for optimizing management, and developing guidelines and clinical trials. We carried out a prospective international cohort study of adult patients (≥ 18years of age) with HA-BSI treated in intensive care units (ICUs) between June 2019 and February 2021. 2600 patients from 333 ICUs in 52 countries were included. 78% HA-BSI were ICU-acquired. Median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was 8 [IQR 5; 11] at HA-BSI diagnosis. Most frequent sources of infection included pneumonia (26.7%) and intravascular catheters (26.4%). Most frequent pathogens were Gram-negative bacteria (59.0%), predominantly Klebsiella spp. (27.9%), Acinetobacter spp. (20.3%), Escherichia coli (15.8%), and Pseudomonas spp. (14.3%). Carbapenem resistance was present in 37.8%, 84.6%, 7.4%, and 33.2%, respectively. Difficult-to-treat resistance (DTR) waspresent in 23.5% and pan-drug resistance in 1.5%. Antimicrobial therapy was deemed adequate within 24h for 51.5%. Antimicrobial resistance was associated with longer delays to adequate antimicrobial therapy. Source control was needed in 52.5% but not achieved in 18.2%. Mortality was 37.1%, and only 16.1% had been discharged alivefrom hospital by day-28. HA-BSI was frequently caused by Gram-negative, carbapenem-resistant and DTR pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance led to delays in adequate antimicrobial therapy. Mortality was high, and at day-28 only a minority of the patients were discharged alive from the hospital. Prevention of antimicrobial resistance and focusing on adequate antimicrobial therapy and source control are important to optimize patient management and outcomes.

Development and validation of nomograms for predicting the risk probability of carbapenem resistance and 28-day all-cause mortality in gram-negative bacteremia among patients with hematological diseases.

Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) bloodstream infections (BSIs) are the most widespread and serious complications in hospitalized patients with hematological diseases. The emergence and prevalence of carbapenem-resistant (CR) pathogens has developed into a considerable challenge in clinical practice. Currently, nomograms have been extensively applied in the field of medicine to facilitate clinical diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this study was to explore risk indicators predicting mortality and carbapenem resistance in hematological (HM) patients with GNB BSI and to construct two nomograms to achieve personalized prediction. A single-center retrospective case-control study enrolled 244 hospitalized HM patients with GNB-BSI from January 2015 to December 2019. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to select potential characteristic predictors of plotting nomograms. Subsequently, to evaluate the prediction performance of the models, the prediction models were internally validated using the bootstrap approach (resampling = 1000) and 10-fold cross validation. Of all 244 eligible patients with BSI attributed to GNB in this study, 77 (31.6%) were resistant to carbapenems. The rate of carbapenem resistance exhibited a growing tendency year by year, from 20.4% in 2015 to 42.6% in 2019 (p = 0.004). The carbapenem resistance nomogram constructed with the parameters of hypoproteinemia, duration of neutropenia ≥ 6 days, previous exposure to carbapenems, and previous exposure to cephalosporin/β-lactamase inhibitors indicated a favorable discrimination ability with a modified concordance index (C-index) of 0.788 and 0.781 in both the bootstrapping and 10-fold cross validation procedures. The 28-day all-cause mortality was 28.3% (68/240). The prognosis nomogram plotted with the variables of hypoproteinemia, septic shock, isolation of CR-GNB, and the incomplete remission status of underlying diseases showed a superior discriminative ability of poorer clinical prognosis. The modified C-index of the prognosis nomogram was 0.873 with bootstrapping and 0.887 with 10-fold cross validation. The decision curve analysis (DCA) for two nomogram models both demonstrated better clinical practicality. For clinicians, nomogram models were effective individualized risk prediction tools to facilitate the early identification of HM patients with GNB BSI at high risk of mortality and carbapenem resistance.

Clinical Treatment Options for Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Infections in China: a Single Center Real-World Experience.

Carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria pose a serious threat worldwide, and some patients even have rapidly aggravated life-threatening infection. However, as a result of the complexities of clinical therapy, antibiotic options against carbapenem-resistant pathogens have not yet been fully standardized. It should be individualized to control carbapenem-resistant pathogens in accordance with the different region. In this study, we conducted a retrospective study in 65,000 inpatients over a 2-year period that involved a total of 86 patients from whom carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria were isolated. Monotherapy using trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, amikacin, meropenem, and/or doxycycline in our hospital exhibited a clinical success rate of 83.3% for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, monotherapy using moxifloxacin, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefepime, and/or ceftazidime for carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited a clinical success rate of 77.7%, and monotherapy using cefoperazone/sulbactam or combination therapy with tigecycline and cefoperazone/sulbactam for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii exhibited a clinical success rate of 62.1%. Taken together, our findings highlight the clinical strategies used in our hospital to successfully treat carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections.