Neutropenic Murine Pneumonia Model Research Articles

Quantitative performance of humanized serum and epithelial lining fluid exposures of tigecycline and levofloxacin against a challenge set of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a standardized neutropenic murine pneumonia model.

Lack of uniformity in infection models complicates preclinical development. The COMBINE protocol has standardized the murine neutropenic pneumonia model. Herein we provide benchmark efficacy data of humanized exposures of tigecycline and levofloxacin in plasma and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) against a collection of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Following the COMBINE protocol, plasma and ELF human-simulated regimens (HSRs) of tigecycline 100 mg followed by 50 mg q12h and levofloxacin 750 mg once daily were developed and confirmed in the murine neutropenic pneumonia model. Tigecycline HSRs were tested against seven K. pneumoniae isolates. Levofloxacin HSRs were assessed against 10 K. pneumoniae and 9 P. aeruginosa. The change in cfu/lung over 24 h for each treatment was calculated. Each isolate was tested in duplicate against both the plasma and ELF HSRs on separate experiment days. Tigecycline 1.8 and 3 mg/kg q12h achieved humanized exposures of serum and ELF, respectively. Levofloxacin 120 and 90 mg/kg q8h led to fAUC exposures in plasma and ELF similar to in humans. Both tigecycline regimens were ineffective across the MIC range. Levofloxacin regimens achieved multilog kill against susceptible isolates, and no appreciable cfu/lung reductions in isolates with an MIC of ≥32 mg/L. Differences in cfu/lung were evident between the levofloxacin plasma and ELF HSRs against isolates with MICs of 4 and 8 mg/L. Administering HSRs of tigecycline and levofloxacin based on both serum/plasma and ELF in the COMBINE pneumonia model resulted in cfu/lung values reasonably aligned with MIC. These data serve as translational benchmarks for future investigations with novel compounds.

Ampicillin-sulbactam against Acinetobacter baumannii infections: pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic appraisal of current susceptibility breakpoints and dosing recommendations.

Sulbactam dosing for Acinetobacter baumannii infections has not been standardized due to limited available pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) data. Herein, we report a comprehensive PK/PD analysis of ampicillin-sulbactam against A. baumannii pneumonia. Twenty-one A. baumannii clinical isolates were tested in the neutropenic murine pneumonia model. For dose-ranging studies, groups of mice were administered escalating doses of ampicillin-sulbactam. Changes in log10cfu/lungs relative to 0 h were assessed. Dose-fractionation studies were performed. Estimates of the percentage of of time during which the unbound plasma sulbactam concentrations exceeded the MIC (%fT > MIC) required for different efficacy endpoints were calculated. The probabilities of target attainment (PTA) for the 1-log kill plasma targets were estimated following clinically utilized sulbactam regimens. Dose-fractionation studies demonstrated time-dependent kill. Isolates resistant to both sulbactam and meropenem required three times the exposures to achieve 1-log kill; median [IQR] %fT > MIC of 60.37% [51.6-66.8] compared with other phenotypes (21.17 [16.0-32.9] %fT > MIC). Sulbactam standard dose (1 g q6h, 0.5 h infusion) provided >90% PTA up to MIC of 4 mg/L. Sulbactam 3 g q8h, 4 h inf provided greater PTA for isolates with sulbactam-intermediate susceptibility (8 mg/L, 100% versus 86% following the standard dose). Despite the higher exposure following 3 g q8h, 4 h inf, PTA was ≤57% among sulbactam-resistant/meropenem-resistant isolates. Sulbactam standard dose is a valuable regimen across sulbactam-susceptible isolates while the high-dose extended-infusion provides additional benefit against sulbactam-intermediate isolates. Given that most of the sulbactam-resistant A. baumannii isolates are meropenem-resistant, high-dose prolonged-infusion regimens are not expected to be effective as monotherapy against infections due to these isolates.

Defining optimal sulbactam regimens for treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia and impact of blaOXA-23 on efficacy.

We evaluated the efficacies of human-simulated regimens (HSRs) of two clinically utilized sulbactam regimens: 1 g q6h 0.5 h infusion (maximum FDA-approved dosage) and 3 g q8h 4 h infusion (high-dose, prolonged-infusion regimen), against Acinetobacter baumannii in a translational murine model. Thirty-two clinical A. baumannii isolates were investigated, of which 16 were sulbactam resistant (MIC ≥ 16 mg/L), 6 were sulbactam intermediate (MIC = 8 mg/L) and 10 were sulbactam susceptible (MIC ≤ 4 mg/L). Efficacies of the two sulbactam HSRs were assessed in the neutropenic murine pneumonia model. Changes in log10 cfu/lungs at 24 h compared with 0 h controls were measured, and efficacy was defined as achieving 1 log kill relative to baseline. WGS of the isolates and bioinformatics analysis were performed to explore potential associations between the genomic backgrounds and the in vivo responses. Eleven isolates harboured blaOXA-23, of which 10 were sulbactam resistant, 1 was sulbactam intermediate while none was sulbactam susceptible. Both sulbactam HSRs achieved >1 log kill against sulbactam-susceptible isolates. Against sulbactam-intermediate and sulbactam-resistant isolates, lack of efficacy correlated with the presence of the blaOXA-23 gene; sulbactam 1 g HSR and 3 g HSR did not show efficacy against 11/11 and 9/11 blaOXA-23-positive isolates, respectively, while efficacy was observed against all 11 blaOXA-23-negative sulbactam-intermediate and sulbactam-resistant isolates (i.e. harbouring other resistance genes). A sulbactam high-dose prolonged-infusion regimen provides comparable activity to the standard dose against isolates currently considered sulbactam susceptible. However, the activity against isolates with intermediate and resistant susceptibility could be predicted by the detection of blaOXA-23. Enhancing detection capabilities of common diagnostic modalities to include OXA-23 can improve patient outcome.

1652. Sulbactam against Acinetobacter baumannii Pneumonia: Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Appraisal of Current Dosing Recommendations

Abstract Background Sulbactam (SUL), available in the USA as ampicillin-sulbactam, is a first line treatment for Acinetobacter baumannii infections. SUL is bactericidal against A. baumannii through affinity to penicillin-binding proteins with no synergy upon ampicillin addition. Despite its wide use, SUL dosing has not been standardized for management of A. baumannii infections. Herein, we examined SUL pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) targets against A. baumannii in a neutropenic murine pneumonia model followed by estimation of the probability of target attainment (PTA) across a range of clinical SUL doses. Methods Eight clinical A. baumannii isolates (SUL MICs 1–16 mg/L) were tested. Mice were inoculated intranasally with 107 colony forming units (CFU)/mL bacterial suspensions. Two hours post inoculation, escalating SUL doses (1–200 mg/kg) were administered q8h for 24 h as ampicillin-sulbactam, while control mice received saline. Efficacy was measured as the change in log10 CFU/ lungs at 24 h compared with 0 h controls. PK and ex vivo protein binding of SUL were assessed in infected mice to determine the free systemic exposures of the regimens utilized. The percentages of dosing interval in which the free plasma concentration exceeded the SUL MIC (%fT > MIC) required to achieve 1- and 2-log kill against each isolate were estimated using Hill-equation. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to determine PTA for these endpoints with various clinically-utilized SUL dosing regimens. Mean and standard deviation values for SUL PK parameters were derived from patients with nosocomial pneumonia due to A. baumannii. Results Median (Interquartile range, IQR) %fT > MIC needed for 1-log and 2-log kill at 24 h were 27.36 (19.94 – 35.11) and 48.36 (38.18 – 58.01), respectively. The corresponding PTA following the maximum FDA-approved SUL dose for pneumonia (1g q6h, 0.5 h infusion) and three off-label doses are reported in the table. Conclusion Currently approved dose of SUL for pneumonia (1g q6h, 0.5 h infusion) provides effective exposure against A. baumannii at the current FDA/CLSI susceptibility breakpoint (SUL MIC ≤ 4 mg/L). Higher and/or more frequent SUL dosing provides additional coverage with 3 g q8h extended infusion further enhancing the PK/PD exposure against isolates with SUL MICs up to 16 mg/L. Disclosures Yasmeen Abouelhassan, PhD, Pfizer: spouse salary Joseph L. Kuti, PharmD, Abbvie: Honoraria|bioMeriuex: Advisor/Consultant|bioMeriuex: Grant/Research Support|Contrafect: Grant/Research Support|Entasis: Grant/Research Support|Merck and Co: Grant/Research Support|Roche Diagnostics: Grant/Research Support|Shionogi: Advisor/Consultant|Shionogi: Grant/Research Support|Shionogi: Honoraria|Summit: Grant/Research Support David P. Nicolau, PharmD, Shionogi: Grant/Research Support Kamilia Abdelraouf, PhD, Evopoint Biosciences Co., Ltd: Grant/Research Support|Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Grant/Research Support.

In Vivo Pharmacodynamic Target Assessment of Antofloxacin against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus in a Neutropenic Murine Pneumonia Model.

We determined in vivo efficacy and target PK/PD exposures of antofloxacin against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus in the murine pneumonia model. The mean plasma free drug area under the concentration-time curve/MIC (fAUC/MIC) targets associated with stasis and 1-log10 and 2-log10 kill effects were 8.93, 19.2, and 48.1, respectively, for S. pneumoniae, whereas they were 30.5, 55.4, and 115.8, respectively, for S. aureus The fAUC/MIC targets in murine lung epithelial lining fluids (ELF) for the same endpoints were nearly 2-fold higher than those in plasma.

Increased Antimicrobial Activity of Colistin in Combination With Gamithromycin Against Pasteurella multocida in a Neutropenic Murine Lung Infection Model.

We investigate the antimicrobial activity of combined colistin and gamithromycin against nine Pasteurella multocida strains by testing in vitro susceptibility. Two high-colistin minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) isolates (D18 and T5) and one low-colistin MIC isolate (WJ11) were used in time-kill tests and therapeutic effect experiments using a neutropenic murine pneumonia model over 24 h. Pharmacokinetics (PK) in plasma was calculated along with pharmacodynamics (PD) to determine the PK/PD index. Synergy between colistin and gamithromycin was observed using high-colistin MIC isolates, equating to a 128- or 256-fold and 4- or 8-fold reduction in colistin and gamithromycin concentration, respectively. Interestingly, no synergistic effect of the combination on low-colistin MIC isolates was observed. However, regardless of the MIC difference among isolates, each drug tended to reach the same concentration in all isolates subjected to combined treatments, which was verified by the time-kill tests presenting similar rates and extent of killing for isolates D18, T5, and WJ11. The AUC(0–24 h)/MIC index was used to evaluate the relationship between PK and PD, and the correlation was >0.89. The relevant gamithromycin doses for combined therapy were determined, and the value decreased from 6- to 35-fold compared with monotherapy. Combined colistin and gamithromycin therapy provides a more potent therapeutic regimen than monotherapy against P. multocida strains.

Pharmacodynamics of Cefepime Combined with the Novel Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase (ESBL) Inhibitor Enmetazobactam for Murine Pneumonia Caused by ESBL-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Klebsiella pneumoniae strains that produce extended-spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs) are a persistent public health threat. There are relatively few therapeutic options, and there is undue reliance on carbapenems. Alternative therapeutic options are urgently required. A combination of cefepime and the novel beta lactamase inhibitor enmetazobactam is being developed for the treatment of serious infections caused by ESBL-producing organisms. The pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) of cefepime-enmetazobactam against ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae was studied in a neutropenic murine pneumonia model. Dose-ranging studies were performed. Dose fractionation studies were performed to define the relevant PD index for the inhibitor. The partitioning of cefepime and enmetazobactam into the lung was determined by comparing the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) in plasma and epithelial lining fluid. The magnitude of drug exposure for cefepime-enmetazobactam required for logarithmic killing in the lung was defined using 3 ESBL-producing strains. Cefepime, given as 100 mg/kg of body weight every 8 h intravenously (q8h i.v.), had minimal antimicrobial effect. When this background regimen of cefepime was combined with enmetazobactam, a half-maximal effect was induced with enmetazobactam at 4.71 mg/kg q8h i.v. The dose fractionation study suggested both fT > threshold and fAUC:MIC are relevant PD indices. The AUCELF:AUCplasma ratio for cefepime and enmetazobactam was 73.4% and 61.5%, respectively. A ≥2-log kill in the lung was achieved with a plasma and ELF cefepime fT > MIC of ≥20% and enmetazobactam fT > 2 mg/liter of ≥20% of the dosing interval. These data and analyses provide the underpinning evidence for the combined use of cefepime and enmetazobactam for nosocomial pneumonia.

675. Efficacy of Human-Simulated Bronchopulmonary Exposures of Cefepime and Zidebactam (WCK 5222) Against Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PSA) in a Neutropenic Murine Pneumonia Model

BackgroundWCK 5222 combines cefepime (FEP) with zidebactam (ZID), a bicycloacyl hydrazide β-lactam enhancer which binds PBP2 in PSA and inhibits class A and C β-lactamases. The in vivo efficacy of human-simulated bronchopulmonary exposures of WCK 5222 against MDR PSA, a recalcitrant pneumonia-causing pathogen with few treatment options, was investigated in a neutropenic murine pneumonia model.MethodsThirteen clinical isolates of MDR PSA with FEP MIC ≥64 mg/L were studied in neutropenic CD-1 mice. FEP, ZID, and WCK 5222 MICs were measured by broth microdilution in triplicate. For in vivo experiments, lungs were intranasally inoculated with 107–108 CFU/mL bacterial suspensions. Human-simulated regimens (HSR) of FEP and ZID alone and in combination which achieved epithelial lining fluid (ELF) exposures in mice approximating human ELF exposures after doses of 2 g FEP/1 g ZID as a 1 hour infusion at steady state were developed. For each regimen, groups of 6 mice were dosed subcutaneously 2 hours after inoculation for 24 hours, then sacrificed. Vehicle-dosed control mice were sacrificed at the start (0 hour) and end (24 hours) of the dosing period. Lungs were aseptically harvested and bacterial CFU/lungs were determined.ResultsFEP MIC was >64 mg/L for all isolates, while ZID and WCK 5222 MICs ranged from 4–512 and 4–32 mg/L, respectively. Mean bacterial growth for all isolates at 0 hour was 6.68 log10 CFU/lungs. Mean changes ± SD in bacterial density at 24 hours compared with 0 hour controls for 12 isolates with WCK5222 MIC ≤16 mg/L were 2.08 ± 1.09, 1.09 ± 0.98, −0.92 ± 1.45, and −2.13 ± 0.75, for control, FEP, ZID, and WCK5222, respectively. Against these isolates, ZID yielded >1 log10 CFU/lungs reduction in 7/12, while activity was enhanced with WCK5222, producing >1 log10 CFU/lungs reduction in 11/12 and >2 log10 CFU/lungs reduction in 9/12. All isolates showed growth or stasis on FEP.ConclusionHuman-simulated bronchopulmonary exposures of WCK5222 is effective against MDR PSA at MIC up to 16 mg/L in a neutropenic murine model. These data support the clinical development of WCK5222 for the treatment of pseudomonal lung infections, but further studies of PSA with high WCK5222 MIC are necessary to delineate the susceptibility breakpoint.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Efficacy of human-simulated bronchopulmonary exposures of cefepime, zidebactam and the combination (WCK 5222) against MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a neutropenic murine pneumonia model.

WCK 5222 combines cefepime with zidebactam, a β-lactam enhancer that binds PBP2 and inhibits class A and C β-lactamases. The efficacy of human-simulated bronchopulmonary exposures of WCK 5222 against MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated in a neutropenic murine pneumonia model. Nineteen MDR isolates of P. aeruginosa (cefepime MICs ≥64 mg/L) were studied. MICs of zidebactam and WCK 5222 ranged from 4 to 512 mg/L and from 4 to 32 mg/L, respectively. Dosing regimens of cefepime and zidebactam alone and in combination that achieved epithelial lining fluid (ELF) exposures in mice approximating human ELF exposures after doses of 2 g of cefepime/1 g of zidebactam every 8 h (1 h infusion) were utilized; controls were vehicle-dosed. Lungs were intranasally inoculated with 107-108 cfu/mL bacterial suspensions. Mice were dosed subcutaneously 2 h after inoculation for 24 h, then lungs were harvested. In vitro MIC was predictive of in vivo response to WCK 5222 treatment. Mean±SD changes in bacterial density at 24 h compared with 0 h controls (6.72±0.50 log10 cfu/lungs) for 13 isolates with WCK 5222 MICs ≤16 mg/L were 1.17±1.00, -0.99±1.45 and -2.21±0.79 log10 cfu/lungs for cefepime, zidebactam and WCK 5222, respectively. Against these isolates, zidebactam yielded >1 log10 cfu/lungs reductions in 8/13, while activity was enhanced with WCK 5222, producing >2 log10 cfu/lungs reductions in 10/13 and >1 log10 cfu/lungs reductions in 12/13. Among isolates with WCK 5222 MICs of 32 mg/L, five out of six showed a bacteriostatic response. Human-simulated bronchopulmonary exposure of WCK 5222 is effective against MDR P. aeruginosa at MIC ≤16 mg/L in a murine pneumonia model. These data support the clinical development of WCK 5222 for pseudomonal lung infections.

Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of a Novel Aminomethylcycline Antibiotic, KBP-7072, in the Neutropenic Murine Pneumonia Model against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

KBP-7072 is a novel aminomethylcycline antibiotic in clinical development for community-acquired pneumonia. The goal of present studies was to determine which pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) parameter magnitude correlated with efficacy in the murine pneumonia infection model against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae KBP-7072 pharmacokinetic measurements were performed in plasma and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) at 4-fold-increasing doses from 1 to 256 mg/kg of body weight subcutaneously. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using a noncompartmental model and were linear over the dose range. Penetration into ELF ranged from 82% to 238% comparing ELF drug concentrations to plasma free drug concentrations. Twenty-four-hour dose-ranging efficacy studies were then performed in the neutropenic murine pneumonia model against 5 S. aureus (3 methicillin-resistant and 2 methicillin-susceptible) and 6 S. pneumoniae (2 Tetr and 2 Penr) strains. KBP-7072 demonstrated potent in vivo activity resulting in a 3- to 5-log10 kill in CFU burden compared to the start of therapy for all strains. The PK/PD index area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)/MIC corelated well with efficacy (R2, 0.80 to 0.89). Net stasis was achieved at plasma 24-h free drug AUC/MIC values of 1.13 and 1.41 (24-h ELF AUC/MIC values of 2.01 and 2.50) for S. aureus and S. pneumoniae, respectively. A 1-log10 kill was achieved at 24-h plasma AUC/MIC values of 2.59 and 5.67 (24-h ELF AUC/MIC values of 4.22 and 10.08) for S. aureus and S. pneumoniae, respectively. A 2-log10 kill was achieved at 24-h plasma AUC/MIC values of 7.16 and 31.14 (24-h ELF AUC/MIC values of 8.37 and 42.92) for S. aureus and S. pneumoniae, respectively. The results of these experiments will aid in the rational design of dose-finding studies for KBP-7072 in patients with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CAP).

1389. Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) Evaluation of a Novel Aminomethylcycline Antibiotic, KBP-7072, in the Neutropenic Murine Pneumonia Model Against S. aureus (SA) and S. pneumoniae (SPN)

BackgroundKBP-7072 is a novel aminomethylcycline antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity that includes organisms with drug-resistance to β-lactams and tetracyclines. We examined the PK/PD relationship between KBP-7072 drug exposures and treatment effect using a neutropenic murine pneumonia model against a diverse group of SA and SPN.MethodsFive SAs (three MRSAs) and six SPNs (three PCNs NS, two TetR) strains were used. MICs were determined by CLSI Methods. Plasma and ELF PK was determined after SC dosing (range 1–256 mg/kg). Lung burden was assessed by CFU counts at the beginning and end of therapy (24 hours). Infected mice were treated with KBP-7072 by SC route: SA dose range 0.25–64 mg/kg/6 hours, SPN dose range 0.06–16 mg/kg/6 hours. The Emax Hill equation was used to model the dose–response data to the PK/PD index AUC/MIC. The magnitude of the PK/PD index (plasma free and ELF total concentrations) associated with net stasis, 1- and 2-log kill were determined in the pneumonia model for all strains.ResultsSA MICs were 0.25 mg/L for all isolates and SPN MICs were 0.008–0.016 mg/L. Plasma PK of KBP-7072 included: Cmax 0.12–25.2 mg/L, AUC0-∞ 1.1–234 mg hour/L, T1/2 3.2–4.6 h. ELF PK by urea correction methods included: Cmax 0.06–13.3 mg/L, AUC0-∞ 0.4–95 mg hour/L, T1/2 3.1–4 hours. ELF penetration based on free plasma drug concentrations (77.5% bound) ranged from 82 to 238%. AUC was linear over the dose range (R2 = 0.99). Potent dose-dependent cidal activity (3–5 log kill) was observed against all strains. AUC/MIC was a robust predictor of efficacy (SA R2 = 0.89, SPN R2 0.80). Median static, 1- and 2-log kill AUC/MIC values are shown in the table.GroupStasis Plasma fAUC/MICStasis ELF AUC/MIC1-Log Kill Plasma fAUC/MIC1-Log Kill ELF AUC/MIC2-Log Kill Plasma fAUC/MIC2-Log Kill ELF AUC/MICSA0.971.722.484.415.817.51SPN1.121.993.686.5413.0623.22ConclusionKBP-7072 demonstrated potent in vivo efficacy against SA and SPN, including strains with elevated minocycline MIC and β-lactam resistance, in the neutropenic murine pneumonia model. A 3–5 log kill was observed and AUC/MIC was strongly associated with efficacy. The AUC/MIC target for net stasis was comparable between SA and SPN at a plasma fAUC/MIC target of ~1 and ELF AUC/MIC target ~2. Cidal targets were similarly very low. All targets were numerically lower than comparative tetracyclines. These results should prove useful for clinical dosing regimen optimization.Disclosures A. J. Lepak, KBP Biosciences: Research Contractor, Research support. Q. Liu, KBP Biosciences: Employee, Salary. P. Wang, KBP Biosciences: Employee, Salary. Y. Wang, KBP Biosciences: Employee, Salary. J. C. Bader, KBP Biosciences: Research Contractor, Research support. P. G. Ambrose, KBP Biosciences: Research Contractor, Research support. D. R. Andes, KBP Biosciences: Research Contractor, Research support.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Minocycline against Acinetobacter baumannii in a Neutropenic Murine Pneumonia Model.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii is increasingly more prevalent in nosocomial infections. Although in vitro susceptibility of A. baumannii to minocycline is promising, the in vivo efficacy of minocycline has not been well established. In this study, the in vivo activity of minocycline was evaluated in a neutropenic murine pneumonia model. Specifically, we investigated the relationship between minocycline exposure and bactericidal activity using five A. baumannii isolates with a broad range of susceptibility (MIC ranged from 0.25 mg/liter to 16 mg/liter). The pharmacokinetics of minocycline (single dose of 25 mg/kg of body weight, 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and a humanized regimen, given intraperitoneally) in serum and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) were characterized. Dose linearity was observed for doses up to 50 mg/kg and pulmonary penetration ratios (area under the concentration-time curve in ELF from 0 to 24 h [AUCELF,0-24]/area under the concentration time curve in serum from 0 to 24 h [AUCserum,0-24]) ranged from 2.5 to 2.8. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) index values in ELF for various dose regimens against different A. baumannii isolates were calculated. The maximum efficacy at 24 h was approximately 1.5-log-unit reduction of pulmonary bacterial burdens from baseline. The AUC/MIC ratio was the PK-PD index most closely correlating to the bacterial burden (r2 = 0.81). The required AUCELF,0-24/MIC for maintaining stasis and achieving 1-log-unit reduction were 140 and 410, respectively. These findings could guide the treatment of infections caused by A. baumannii using minocycline in the future. Additional studies to examine resistance development during therapy are warranted.

In Vitro-In Vivo Discordance with Humanized Piperacillin-Tazobactam Exposures against Piperacillin-Tazobactam-Resistant/Pan-β-Lactam-Susceptible Escherichia coli.

Recent findings have identified Escherichia coli strains that are pan-β-lactam susceptible (PBL-S) but piperacillin-tazobactam resistant (TZP-R) in vitro We assessed the in vivo significance of this resistance profile in a neutropenic murine pneumonia model using humanized exposures of TZP with 18 clinical E. coli isolates, 8 TZP-S/PBL-S and 10 genotypically confirmed TZP-R/PBL-S. Despite phenotypically and genotypically defined resistance, TZP displayed efficacy against these isolates. Additional studies are required to define the clinical implications of these TZP-R/PBL-S strains.

Assessment of minocycline and polymyxin B combination against Acinetobacter baumannii.

Antimicrobial resistance among Acinetobacter baumannii is increasing worldwide, often necessitating combination therapy. The clinical utility of using minocycline with polymyxin B is not well established. In this study, we investigated the activity of minocycline and polymyxin B against 1 laboratory isolate and 3 clinical isolates of A. baumannii. Minocycline susceptibility testing was performed with and without an efflux pump inhibitor, phenylalanine-arginine β-naphthylamide (PAβN). The intracellular minocycline concentration was determined with and without polymyxin B (0.5 μg/ml). Time-kill studies were performed over 24 h using approximately 10(6) CFU/ml of each strain with clinically relevant minocycline concentrations (2 μg/ml and 8 μg/ml), with and without polymyxin B (0.5 μg/ml). The in vivo efficacy of the combination was assessed in a neutropenic murine pneumonia model. Infected animals were administered minocycline (50 mg/kg), polymyxin B (10 mg/kg), or both to achieve clinically equivalent exposures in humans. A reduction in the minocycline MIC (≥ 4×) was observed in the presence of PAβN. The intracellular concentration and in vitro bactericidal effect of minocycline were both enhanced by polymyxin B. With 2 minocycline-susceptible strains, the bacterial burden in lung tissue at 24 h was considerably reduced by the combination compared to monotherapy with minocycline or polymyxin B. In addition, the combination prolonged survival of animals infected with a minocycline-susceptible strain. Polymyxin B increased the intracellular concentration of minocycline in bacterial cells and enhanced the bactericidal activity of minocycline, presumably due to efflux pump disruption. The clinical utility of this combination should be further investigated.

Pharmacodynamic profiling of modithromycin: Assessment in a pneumococcal murine pneumonia model

The pharmacodynamic profile of modithromycin (EDP-420, EP-013420, S-013420), a novel bicyclolide, was evaluated in a neutropenic pneumococcal murine pneumonia model. Streptococcus pneumoniae median minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for five genotypically diverse isolates ranged from 0.016μg/mL to 0.125μg/mL and were unaffected by macrolide or penicillin resistance determinants. The modithromycin dosing regimens (total daily doses of 3.125–1000mg/kg/day) were derived from the pharmacokinetic profile of the compound in infected mice and were selected to produce a wide range of exposures. Dose–response relationships characterised using the Emax model demonstrated high correlations both with the ratio of the area under the concentration–time curve to MIC (AUC/MIC) and the ratio of the maximum drug concentration to MIC (Cmax/MIC). However, dose fractionation studies suggest that the AUC/MIC is the predominant driver of in vivo efficacy. The free drug AUC/MIC (fAUC/MIC) required for stasis and for 80% of maximum activity ranged from 4 to 53 and 25–99, respectively. The fAUC/MIC needed to achieve a 1 log reduction in bacterial density, which is a conventional measure of the required exposure in man to reliably predict efficacy, ranged from 9 to 69. These data demonstrate the in vitro and in vivo potency of modithromycin against S. pneumoniae irrespective of its phenotypic profile to the macrolides or penicillin.

Use of Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Systems Analyses to Inform Dose Selection of Tedizolid Phosphate

In the Staphylococcus aureus neutropenic murine thigh-infection model, the ratio of the free area under the 24-hour concentration-time curve to the minimum inhibitory concentration (fAUC/MIC) was found to be the pharmacodynamic index most closely linked to bacterial effect, with a ratio of approximately 50 producing a static effect. Further work was undertaken in neutropenic versus non-neutropenic animals. The presence of granulocytes increased the activity of tedizolid considerably, 25-fold on average, and maximal effect was achieved at an exposure equivalent to approximately 200 mg tedizolid phosphate per day in humans (dosing regimen used in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials). The fAUC/MIC was also found to be the pharmacodynamically linked variable in the S. aureus neutropenic murine pneumonia model; the fAUC/MIC ratio required for a static effect was approximately 20. Pharmacokinetic (PK) data demonstrate that tedizolid penetrates well into the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of the lung. Data from the pneumonia infection model and ELF penetration PK study support exploring its use in pneumonia.

Efficacies of ceftazidime-avibactam and ceftazidime against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a murine lung infection model.

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of human-simulated plasma exposures of 2 g ceftazidime plus 0.5 g avibactam every 8 h administered as a 2-h infusion or a ceftazidime regimen that produced a specific epithelial lining fluid (ELF) percentage of the dosing interval in which serum free drug concentrations remain above the MIC (fT>MIC) against 28 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates within a neutropenic murine pneumonia model and to assess the impact of host infection on pulmonary pharmacokinetics. The fT>MIC was calculated as the mean and upper end of the 95% confidence limit. Against the 28 P. aeruginosa strains used, the ceftazidime-avibactam MICs were 4 to 64 μg/ml, and those of ceftazidime were 8 to >128 μg/ml. The change in log10 CFU after 24 h of treatment was analyzed relative to that of 0-h controls. Pharmacokinetic studies in serum and ELF were conducted using ceftazidime-avibactam in infected and uninfected mice. Humanized ceftazidime-avibactam doses resulted in significant exposures in the lung, producing reductions of >1 log10 CFU against P. aeruginosa with ceftazidime-avibactam MICs of ≤32 μg/ml (ELF upper 95% confidence limit for fT>MIC [ELF fT>MIC] of ≥19%), except for one isolate with a ceftazidime-avibactam MIC of 16 μg/ml. No efficacy was observed against the isolate with a ceftazidime-avibactam MIC of 64 μg/ml (ELF fT>MIC of 0%). Bacterial reductions were observed with ceftazidime against isolates with ceftazidime MICs of 32 μg/ml (ELF fT>MIC of ≥12%), variable efficacy at ceftazidime MICs of 64 μg/ml (ELF fT>MIC of ≥0%), and no activity at a ceftazidime MIC of 128 μg/ml, where the ELF fT>MIC was 0%. ELF fT>MICs were similar between infected and uninfected mice. Ceftazidime-avibactam was effective against P. aeruginosa, with MICs of up to 32 μg/ml with an ELF fT>MIC of ≥19%. The data suggest the potential utility of ceftazidime-avibactam for treatment of lung infections caused by P. aeruginosa.

Assessment of Antimicrobial Combinations for Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase–Producing K. pneumoniae

The prevalence of bla(KPC) among gram-negative bacteria continues to increase worldwide. Limited treatment options exist for this multidrug-resistant phenotype, often necessitating combination therapy. We investigated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of multiple antimicrobial combinations. Two clinical strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing K. pneumoniae were studied. The killing activities of six 2-agent combinations of amikacin, doripenem, levofloxacin, and rifampin were quantitatively assessed using a validated mathematical model. Combination time-kill studies were conducted using clinically relevant concentrations; observed bacterial burdens were modeled using 3-dimensional response surfaces. Selected combinations were further validated in a neutropenic murine pneumonia model, using human-like dosing exposures. The most enhanced killing effect in time-kill studies was seen with amikacin plus doripenem. Compared with placebo controls, this combination resulted in significant reduction of the bacterial burden in tissue at 24 hours, along with prolonged animal survival. In contrast, amikacin plus levofloxacin was found to be antagonistic in time-kill studies, showing inferior animal survival, as predicted. Our modeling approach appeared to be robust in assessing the effectiveness of various combinations for KPC-producing isolates. Amikacin plus doripenem was the most effective combination in both in vitro and in vivo infection models. Empirical selection of combinations against KPCs may result in antagonism and should be avoided.

Comparative Pharmacodynamics of the New Oxazolidinone Tedizolid Phosphate and Linezolid in a Neutropenic Murine Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia Model

Tedizolid phosphate (TR-701) is a novel oxazolidinone prodrug (converted to the active form tedizolid [TR-700]) with potent Staphylococcus aureus activity. The current studies characterized and compared the in vivo pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics of TR-701/TR-700 and linezolid against methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in the neutropenic murine pneumonia model. The pharmacokinetic properties of both drugs were linear over a dose range of 0.625 to 40 mg/kg of body weight. Protein binding was 30% for linezolid and 85% for TR-700. Mice were infected with one of 11 isolates of S. aureus, including MSSA and community- and hospital-acquired MRSA strains. Each drug was administered by oral-gastric gavage every 12 h (q12h). The dosing regimens ranged from 1.25 to 80 mg/kg/12 h for linezolid and 0.625 to 160 mg/kg/12 h for TR-701. At the start of therapy, mice had 6.24 ± 0.40 log(10) CFU/lungs, which increased to 7.92 ± 1.02 log(10) CFU/lungs in untreated animals over a 24-h period. A sigmoid maximum-effect (E(max)) model was used to determine the antimicrobial exposure associated with net stasis (static dose [SD]) and 1-log-unit reduction in organism relative to the burden at the start of therapy. The static dose pharmacodynamic targets for linezolid and TR-700 were nearly identical, at a free drug (non-protein-bound) area under the concentration-time curve over 24 h in the steady state divided by the MIC (AUC/MIC ratio) of 19 and 20, respectively. The 1-log-unit kill endpoints were also similar, at 46.1 for linezolid and 34.6 for TR-700. The exposure targets were also comparable for both MSSA and MRSA isolates. These dosing goals support further clinical trial examination of TR-701 in MSSA and MRSA pneumonia.

Quantitative Assessment of Combination Antimicrobial Therapy against Multidrug‐Resistant Bacteria in a Murine Pneumonia Model

Combination antimicrobial therapy is clinically used as a last-resort strategy to control multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. However, selection of antibiotics is often empirical, and conventional assessment of combined drug effect has not been correlated to clinical outcomes. Here, we report a quantitative method to assess combined killing of antimicrobial agents against 2 multidrug-resistant bacteria. Combined time-kill studies were performed using clinically achievable concentrations for each 2-agent combination against clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bacterial burden observed at 24 h was mathematically modeled using a 3-dimensional response surface. Subsequently, a neutropenic murine pneumonia model with simulated clinical dosing exposures was used to validate our quantitative assessment of combined killing. Different antimicrobial combinations were found to have varying efficacy against the multidrug-resistant bacteria. As predicted by our quantitative method, cefepime plus amikacin was found to be the most superior combination, which was evidenced by a reduction in tissue bacterial burden and prolonged survival of infected animals. The consistency between the predictions of the mathematical model and in vivo observations substantiated the robustness of our quantitative method. These data highlighted a novel and promising method to guide rational selection of antimicrobial combination in the clinical setting.