Simulated Endocardial Vegetations Research Articles

Phage-antibiotic synergy against daptomycin-nonsusceptible MRSA in an ex vivo simulated endocardial pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model.

Phage-antibiotic combinations (PAC) offer a potential solution for treating refractory daptomycin-nonsusceptible (DNS) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. We examined PAC activity against two well-characterized DNS MRSA strains (C4 and C37) in vitro and ex vivo. PACs comprising daptomycin (DAP) ± ceftaroline (CPT) and a two-phage cocktail (Intesti13 + Sb-1) were evaluated for phage-antibiotic synergy (PAS) against high MRSA inoculum (109 CFU/mL) using (i) modified checkerboards (CB), (ii) 24-h time-kill assays (TKA), and (iii) 168-h ex vivo simulated endocardial vegetation (SEV) models. PAS was defined as a fractional inhibitory concentration ≤0.5 in CB minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) or a ≥2 log10 CFU/mL reduction compared to the next best regimen in time-kill assays and SEV models. Significant differences between regimens were assessed by analysis of variance with Tukey's post hoc modification (α = 0.05). CB assays revealed PAS with Intesti13 + Sb-1 + DAP ± CPT. In 24-h time-kill assays against C4, Intesti13 + Sb-1 + DAP ± CPT demonstrated synergistic activity (-Δ7.21 and -Δ7.39 log10 CFU/mL, respectively) (P < 0.05 each). Against C37, Intesti13 + Sb-1 + CPT ± DAP was equally effective (-Δ7.14 log10 CFU/mL each) and not significantly different from DAP + Intesti13 + Sb-1 (-Δ6.65 log10 CFU/mL). In 168-h SEV models against C4 and C37, DAP ± CPT + the phage cocktail exerted synergistic activities, significantly reducing bio-burdens to the detection limit [2 log10 CFU/g (-Δ7.07 and -Δ7.11 log10 CFU/g, respectively)] (P < 0.001). At 168 h, both models maintained stable MICs, and no treatment-emergent phage resistance occurred with DAP or DAP + CPT regimens. The two-phage cocktail demonstrated synergistic activity against two DNS MRSA isolates in combination with DAP + CPT in vitro and ex vivo. Further in vivo PAC investigations are needed.

Ciprofloxacin in combination with bacteriophage cocktails against multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in ex vivo simulated endocardial vegetation models.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa-associated infective endocarditis represents difficult-to-treat, deep-seated infections. Phage-antibiotic combinations have shown to eradicate multi-drug resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa, limit the development of phage resistance, and restore antibiotic sensitivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the activity of phage-ciprofloxacin (CIP) combinations in 4-day ex vivo simulated endocardial vegetation (SEV) models against drug-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates. Two P. aeruginosa isolates, extensively drug-resistant AR351 and MDR I0003-1, were selected for their drug resistance and sensitivity to phage. Three phages [LL-5504721-AH (LL), E2005-C (EC), and 109] and CIP were evaluated alone and in combination for their activity and influence on drug and phage resistance using 24-h time-kill analysis. The three-phage cocktail (q24h) in combination with CIP (400 mg q12h) was then tested in dynamic 4-day ex vivo SEV models, with reduction of log10 CFU/mL compared using ANOVA with Bonferroni analysis. Compared to other combinations, CIP-LL-EC-109 demonstrated synergistic and bactericidal activity from starting CFU/g against AR351 and I0003-1 (-Δ5.65 and 6.60 log10 CFU/g, respectively; P < 0.001). Additionally, CIP-LL-EC-109 mitigated phage resistance, while all other therapies had a high degree of resistance to >1 phages, and all phage-containing regimens prevented CIP mean inhibitory concentration increases compared to CIP alone for both AR351 and I0003-1 at 96 h.

Phage-Antibiotic Cocktail Rescues Daptomycin and Phage Susceptibility against Daptomycin-Nonsusceptible Enterococcus faecium in a Simulated Endocardial Vegetation Ex Vivo Model.

Enterococcus faecium is a difficult-to-treat pathogen with emerging resistance to most clinically available antibiotics. Daptomycin (DAP) is the standard of care, but even high DAP doses (12 mg/kg body weight/day) failed to eradicate some vancomycin-resistant strains. Combination DAP-ceftaroline (CPT) may increase β-lactam affinity for target penicillin binding proteins (PBP); however, in a simulated endocardial vegetation (SEV) pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model, DAP-CPT did not achieve therapeutic efficacy against a DAP-nonsusceptible (DNS) vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (VRE) isolate. Phage-antibiotic combinations (PAC) have been proposed for resistant high-inoculum infections. We aimed to identify PAC with maximum bactericidal activity and prevention/reversal of phage and antibiotic resistance in an SEV PK/PD model against DNS isolate R497. Phage-antibiotic synergy (PAS) was evaluated with modified checkerboard MIC and 24-h time-kill analyses (TKA). Human-simulated antibiotic doses of DAP and CPT with phages NV-497 and NV-503-01 were then evaluated in 96-h SEV PK/PD models against R497. Synergistic and bactericidal activity was identified with the PAC of DAP-CPT combined with phage cocktail NV-497-NV-503-01, demonstrating a significant reduction in viability down to 3-log10 CFU/g (-Δ, 5.77-log10 CFU/g; P < 0.001). This combination also demonstrated isolate resensitization to DAP. Evaluation of phage resistance post-SEV demonstrated prevention of phage resistance for PACs containing DAP-CPT. Our results provide novel data highlighting bactericidal and synergistic activity of PAC against a DNS E. faecium isolate in a high-inoculum ex vivo SEV PK/PD model with subsequent DAP resensitization and prevention of phage resistance. IMPORTANCE Our study supports the additional benefit of standard-of-care antibiotics combined with a phage cocktail compared to antibiotic alone against a daptomycin-nonsusceptible (DNS) E. faecium isolate in a high-inoculum simulated endocardial vegetation ex vivo PK/PD model. E. faecium is a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Daptomycin is considered the first-line therapy for vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (VRE), but the highest published doses have failed to eradicate some VRE isolates. The addition of a β-lactam to daptomycin may result in synergistic activity, but previous in vitro data demonstrate that daptomycin plus ceftaroline failed to eradicate a VRE isolate. Phage therapy as an adjunct to antibiotic therapy has been proposed as a salvage therapy for high-inoculum infections; however, pragmatic clinical comparison trials for endocarditis are lacking and difficult to design, reinforcing the timeliness of such analysis.

1703. Efficacy of Selected Metabolic Inhibitors for the Prevention and Resensitization of High-Level Daptomycin Resistance in Streptococcus mitis-oralis In Vitro and in an Ex Vivo Simulated Endocarditis Model

Abstract Background Rapid development of stable, high-level daptomycin-resistance (DAP-R) is frequent among Streptococcus mitis-oralis strains during exposure to DAP in vitro and in vivo. Metabolomic analyses of in vitro-derived daptomycin-resistant (DAP-R) S. mitis-oralis strains (351D10) revealed substantial glycolytic pathway differences vs. its DAP-susceptible (DAP-S) parental strain, 351. To define translatability of such metabolic changes, we assessed combinations of DAP + strategic metabolic inhibitors likely to impact such pathways, including: oxamic acid [OXA], trimetazidine [TMZ) and 6-mercaptopurine [6-MP]. We assessed these combinations vs. our DAP-S/DAP-R isogenic strain pair both in vitro and ex vivo for: bactericidal and synergistic activities; prevention of high-level DAP-R in DAP-S cells; and/or resensitization of DAP-R cells Methods MICs. E test and microbroth dilution In vitro antimicrobial combination assays. Time-kill curves (24 hr) and serial passaging in DAP (10 d). Ex vivo IE model: SEVs (simulated endocardial vegetation’s) were quantitatively cultured at serial time-points post-exposures to DAP +/- inhibitors (0, 4, 8, 24, 32, 48 hr). Results In vitro , combinations of DAP + OXA or DAP + TMZ, as well as OXA or TMZ monotherapy, exerted bactericidal effect against both strains. Moreover, DAP + 6-MP yielded both a bactericidal, as well as synergistic activity against DAP-S 351 (but not against DAP-R 351 D10). None of the combinations prevented the development of DAP-R or resensitized the DAP-R strain to a DAP-S phenotype in vitro. In the ex vivo SEV model, using PK/PD simulations of humanized drug doses, DAP + OXA was the most effective regimen for both the DAP-S 351 and DAP-R 351 D10 strains; both OXA alone and DAP + OXA prevented DAP-R evolution, although not resensitizing the DAP-R strain to a DAP-S phenotype. Conclusion Combinations of DAP plus specific metabolic inhibitors represents a promising approach to enhance killing of S. mitis-oralis strains, as well as to potentially forestall DAP-R emergence. Also, they do provide a solid platform upon which to explore other potential metabolic modifiers for their ability to enhance the efficacy of DAP, based on definable metabolic perturbations in DAP-R S. mitis-oralis. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.

Activity of the Lactate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor Oxamic Acid against the Fermentative Bacterium Streptococcus mitis/oralis: Bactericidal Effects and Prevention of Daptomycin Resistance In Vitro and in an Ex Vivo Model.

Streptococcus mitis/oralis is a fermentative bacterium that relies on lactate dehydrogenase to balance its redox poise and keep glycolysis active. Metabolomic analysis of an in vitro–derived daptomycin-resistant (DAP-R) S. mitis/oralis strain (351-D10) revealed differences in glucose catabolism relative to its DAP-susceptible (DAP-S) parental strain, 351. Metabolic changes associated with the transition to this DAP-R phenotype suggested that inhibiting glycolysis could alter DAP susceptibility. In addition, the strong reliance of S. mitis/oralis on glycolysis for energy and biosynthetic intermediates suggested that inhibiting glycolysis would adversely affect growth and biomass accumulation. To test these hypotheses, we used the lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor oxamic acid (OXA) to assess its efficacy against DAP-S S. mitis/oralis strain 351 during DAP exposures in vitro and ex vivo. As expected, OXA was growth inhibitory to S. mitis/oralis in a dose-dependent manner in vitro; however, it did not alter in vitro DAP susceptibility profiles. In contrast, OXA did prevent the emergence of DAP-R in an ex vivo model of simulated endocardial vegetations. These data suggest that metabolic inhibitors directed against this fermentative bacterium with limited metabolic capabilities could enhance killing and potentially forestall the emergence of DAP resistance.

Exebacase in Addition to Daptomycin against MRSA.

Exebacase is a lysin (cell wall hydrolase) with direct lytic activity against Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Time-kill analysis experiments illustrated bactericidal activity of exebacase-daptomycin against MRSA strains MW2 and 494. Furthermore, exebacase in addition to daptomycin (10, 6, and 4 mg/kg/day) in a two-compartment ex vivo pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic simulated endocardial vegetation model with humanized doses resulted in reductions of 6.01, 4.99, and 2.81 log10 CFU/g (from initial inoculum) against MRSA strain MW2.

614. Metabolic Interventions for the Resensitization of Daptomycin-Resistant (DAP-R) Streptococcus mitis-oralis Strains to DAP In vitro and Ex Vivo in a Simulated Model of Experimental Endocarditis (IE)

Background Streptococcus mitis-oralis is a leading cause of IE. Treatment of this pathogen is limited by frequent high-level β-lactam resistance and the propensity to develop high-level DAP-R during DAP exposure. The current study elucidated key metabolic perturbations associated with high-level DAP-R in prototype S. mitis-oralis strain 351, following in vitro selection of DAP-R by 10-day serial passage in sub-inhibitory DAP. Furthermore, to test translatability of such metabolic changes (see below), the synergistic activity of combinations of DAP plus a strategic metabolic inhibitor (i.e., fosfomycin) vs. DAP or fosfomycin alone was assessed, using DAP-R S. mitis-oralis strain 351-D10 (MIC >256 µg/mL) in vitro and in an ex vivo IE model.MethodsMICs. E test Growth Curve: Optical density (OD600) determined spectrophotometrically at 0–8 hours glyceraldehyde-3-phosphatedehydrogenase (GAPDH) activity. Kit from BioVision®. Metabolomics: one-dimensional 1H NMR-MS and two-dimensional 1H-13C HSQC in vitro time-kill assay: Using sub-MIC/MIC drug concentrations (initial inoculum ~1 × 105 CFU/mL) for 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours. Ex vivo IE model: Simulated endocardial vegetations (SEVs) quantitatively cultured at 0, 4, 8, 24, 32, 48, and 72 hours with DAP or fosfomycin alone or in combination.ResultsNMR metabolomics analysis identified a number of metabolite differences in the 351 D10 DAP-R vs. 351 DAP-S strain (Figure 1). These data are consistent with a significant reduction in GAPDH activity (a glycolytic enzyme) in 351-D10 vs. 351 strain. Based on these metabolic changes, fosfomycin (a phosphoenolpyruvate analog) was chosen as a strategic metabolic inhibitor to attempt to “resensitize” our DAP-R S. mitis-oralis strain to DAP. The combination of DAP + fosfomycin demonstrated synergistic killing of the DAP-R strain vs. DAP or fosfomycin alone in the in vitro time-killing assays. Moreover, the DAP-R strain was synergistically cleared from SEVs by DAP + fosfomycin in the ex vivo IE model.ConclusionTaken together, these data indicate there are unique metabolome signatures associated with the DAP-R phenotype in S. mitis-oralis. In addition, these data provide support for further studying the use of strategic S. mitis-oralis metabolic inhibitors in additional strain-sets to resensitize DAP-R strains to DAP, using in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

1546. Efficacy of Daptomycin Combinations Against Daptomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Differs by β-lactam

BackgroundWe have previously demonstrated that daptomycin (DAP) combinations with β-lactams offer enhanced bactericidal activity and prevent the emergence of resistance in Enterococcus faecium infections. Although the mechanisms of DAP resistance in enterococci are not fully comprehended, they are associated with alterations in cell envelope phospholipids assembly which leads to either repulsion of the drug from cell exterior or diversion from the cell septum. In this context, we sought to evaluate combinations of DAP with a panel of β-lactams including ampicillin (AMP), amoxicillin (AMX), ceftaroline (CPT), ceftriaxone (CRO) and ertapenem (ERT).Methods E. faecium R497 harboring liaSFR mutations (DAP MIC of 16 mg/L) was evaluated in a simulated endocardial vegetation (SEV) pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic model over 336 h at a starting inoculum of 109 log10 CFU/g. DAP 10 mg/kg/day combinations with AMP, AMX (2 g continuous infusion), CPT 600 mg q 12 h, CRO 2g q 24 h or ERT 1 g q 24 h were evaluated. The emergence of DAP resistance was determined daily over the course of treatment.ResultsDAP alone was not bactericidal and high-level DAP resistance was observed (MIC increase from 16 to 64 µg/mL). Combination of DAP+AMP offered a significant reduction in log10CFU/g amounts (Up to 7 log10 CFU/g and to detection limits) in 24h in with no emergence of DAP resistance. DAP 10+ AMX caused 6–6.5 log10 CFU/g reduction and counts were maintained around the detection limit while demonstrating no increased resistance. Dose de-escalation with AMP indicated that even DAP 4 mg/kg/d with AMP (2g) combination, reached detection limit at 168 h with no further resistance. None of the CPT, CRO or ERT regimens in combination with DAP was effective against R497 and elevated DAP MICs (>64 µg/mL) was observed during the 14-day model.ConclusionCombination of DAP+AMP offered the most encouraging results against E. faecium R497, while DAP+AMX caused enhanced reduction. The reason for this discrepancy in various β-lactam activity may be related to diverse β-lactam targeting or affinity toward PBP proteins. Further dissection of our observations is warranted to understand the optimized DAP-β-lactam combination and consequently improve patient outcomes and prevention of resistance. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

615. Daptomycin (DAP) Synergy with β-Lactams in DAP-Resistant (DAP-R) E. faecium (Efm) Is Dependent On PBP5 Sequence and β-Lactam-binding Affinity

BackgroundDAP in combination with β-lactams is a viable option to treat recalcitrant DAP-R/tolerant strains of Efm. Ampicillin (AMP), ceftaroline (CPT), and ertapenem (ERT) have the best synergism. Using a DAP tolerant strain (503; DAP MIC 2 µg/mL) of Efm, we previously showed that AMP, CPT, and ERT combined with DAP were effective in reducing bacterial loads and prevented emergence of resistance in a simulated endocardial vegetation model. However, against a DAP-R Efm strain (R497, DAP MIC of 16 µg/mL), CPT, ERT failed to synergize with DAP. Here, we dissect the mechanistic basis of the differing DAP plus β-lactam synergistic effect.MethodsWe performed comparative transcriptional profiling of pbp genes in Efm 503 vs. R497 using qRT–PCR. PBP5 protein levels were assessed by immunoblotting. The β-lactam-binding affinity of PBPs was quantified with bocillin-FL staining and SDS–PAGE. PBP5 sequences of Efm Com15 (AMP and DAP-susceptible strain) and clinical strains S447, 503 and R497 (all with AMP MIC > 256 µg/mL) were compared in silico to identify amino acid (AA) differences in key protein sites which were verified with sequencingResults Pbp gene transcripts and PBP5 amounts were similar between 503 vs. R497. Interestingly, bocillin SDS–PAGE showed increased β-lactam binding affinity in PBP5 of 503 compared with that of R497 and S447. PBP5 sequences of S447 and R497 were identical. All three clinical strains had classic mutations (M485A and 466’S) important for high-level AMP-R. However, 503 had additional substitutions in the transpeptidase domain (H408Q, A462V, T546N, T558A, S582G, V586L) and penicillin-binding domain (Q632K, L642P) compared with R497 and S447. The latter AA sequences in 503 are common to AMP-susceptible Efm strainsConclusionWe uncovered that a “hybrid” pbp5 allele of 503 (DAP-tolerant) correlated with synergism of DAP plus AMP, CPT or ERT and was associated with increased PBP5 β-lactam binding affinity. Lack of synergism of DAP plus CPT or ERT is associated with specific PBP amino acids in the transpeptidase and penicillin-binding domains. Thus, pbp5 alleles are major determinants of the DAP plus β-lactam synergistic effect and could be used as a diagnostic tool to guide therapy in recalcitrant Efm infectionsDisclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

1403. Daptomycin Combined with Low Dose Ceftriaxone Prevents the Emergence of Daptomycin Resistance against Streptococcus mitis-oralis Group in an In vitro Model of Simulated Endocardial Vegetations (SEVs)

BackgroundThe viridans group streptococci (VGS) are a heterogeneous group of microorganisms that form portion of the normal oral flora of humans. Among the VGS, S. mitis-oralis is the most common cause of infective endocarditis in the developing world, as well as the leading cause of the “toxic Strep syndrome” in neutropenic cancer patients. Therapeutic options are often limited by frequent β-lactam resistance, as well as vancomycin tolerance. Daptomycin (DAP) has been suggested as an alternative therapeutic option for invasive S. mitis-oralis infections. However, the ability of these strains to rapidly evolve high-level and durable DAP-resistance (DAP-R) is problematic. Recent data have suggested the potential for combined DAP +β-lactam therapy to circumvent this issue.MethodsUsing human-simulated dosing, the activities of DAP (6, 8,10 or 12 mg/kg/day × 4 days) alone vs. DAP (6 mg/kg/day) +(CRO) (500 mg daily × 4 days or 500 mg, given once on day one) were assessed against two DAP-susceptible (DAP-S) S. mitis-oralisstrains (SF100; 351) employing a PK-PD model of simulated endocardial vegetations (SEVs).ResultsDAP alone was not bactericidal at any dose-regimen, and regrowth of high-level DAP-R isolates was observed in both strains (MIC increase from 0.5 to >64 µg/mL). Combinations of DAP +CRO at either dose-regimen yielded significant reductions in log10CFU/g amounts within SEVs for both strains (~6 log10 CFU/g and to detection limits) within 24 hours. In addition, no DAP-R strains were detected in either DAP+ CRO combination regimens over the 96-hour exposure period.ConclusionCombinations of DAP+ low-dose CRO (even single dosing) showed promise to forestall the emergence of DAP-R in S. mitis-oralis strains. Such regimens can potentially lead to optimizing treatment outcomes with DAP therapy, with minimal β-lactam exposures. Further research in relevant in vivo models and clinically is warranted to determine the most optimized DAP+ CRO dose-regimens for the prevention of emergence of DAP-R among S. mitis-oralis strains.Disclosures J. M. Miro, Abbvie: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant; Genentech: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant; Medtronic: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant; Novartis: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant; Gilead Sciences: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant; Pfizer: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant; ViiV Healthcare: Consultant and Grant Investigator, Consulting honoraria and Research grant. C. Arias, Merck & Co., Inc.: Grant Investigator, Research support; MeMed: Grant Investigator, Research support; Allergan: Grant Investigator, Research support. A. Bayer, Trellis: grant recipient, Grant recipient; Contrafect: grant recipient, Grant recipient; Theravance: grant recipient, Grant recipient. M. J. Rybak, Allergan: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Research grant and Research support; Achaogen: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support; Bayer: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support; Melinta: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support; Merck: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support; Theravance: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support; Sunovian: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support; Zavante: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support; NIAID: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support.

1399. Efficacy of Daptomycin Combination with β-Lactams for Daptomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium Harboring LiaSR Substitutions

BackgroundDaptomycin (DAP) is one of the mainstay treatments for Enterococcus faecium infections. However, development of resistance threatens its continued viability as a treatment option. Although the mechanisms of DAP resistance in enterococci are not fully comprehended, they are associated with alterations in cell envelope phospholipids assembly which leads to repulsion of the drug from cell exterior and diversion from the cell septum. Previous data suggest that combination of DAP with β-lactams has the potential to improve patient outcomes. In this investigation, we sought to evaluate combinations of DAP with ampicillin (AMP), ceftaroline (CPT), and ertapenem (ERT).Methods E. faecium R497 harboring liaSFR mutations (DAP MIC of 16 mg/L) was evaluated in a simulated endocardial vegetation (SEV) pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic model over 336 hours at a starting inoculum of 109 log10 CFU/g of SEV. DAP alone at 10 mg/kg/day or DAP (6, 8, 10 mg/kg/day) in combination with AMP (2 g continuous infusion), CPT 600 mg q12h or ERT 1 g q24h were evaluated. The emergence of DAP resistance was determined daily over the course of the 14-day experiment.ResultsDAP alone was not bactericidal and high-level DAP resistance was observed (MIC increase from 16 to 256 µg/mL) for all DAP alone regimens. Combination of DAP+AMP offered a significant reduction in log10CFU/g amounts (up to 7 log10 CFU/g and to detection limits) in 24 hours in DAP10+AMP model with no further emergence of DAP resistance. Even in DAP 6 mg/kg/day with AMP (2 g), dramatic killing with no further emergence of resistance was observed. Neither CPT nor ERT in combination with DAP was effective against this strain. At higher doses of DAP (14 mg/kg/day) + CPT or ERT, a temporary (0–48 hours) CFU/g reduction was observed followed by regrowth and the further emergence of DAP resistance.ConclusionCombination of DAP + AMP offered the most encouraging results against E. faecium R497. A DAP dose sparring effect was noted with DAP + AMP but not with CPT or ERT. The reason for the discrepancy is unknown and is under further investigation. Further evaluation of DAP plus β-lactam therapy is warranted to discover the most optimized DAP and β-lactam therapy to improve patient outcome and prevent the emergence of resistance.Disclosures B. Murray, Paratek pharmaceuticals: Consultant and Scientific Advisor, Consulting fee and Speaker honorarium; Forest/Actavis: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient; Cubist/Merck: Grant Investigator, Grant recipient. C. Arias, Merck & Co., Inc.: Grant Investigator, Research support; MeMed: Grant Investigator, Research support; Allergan: Grant Investigator, Research support; M. J. Rybak, Allergan: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Research grant and Research support; Achaogen: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support; Bayer: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support; Melinta: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support; Merck: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support; Theravance: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support; Sunovian: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support; Zavante: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support; NIAID: Consultant, Grant Investigator and Speaker’s Bureau, Consulting fee, Research grant and Research support

Influence of Inoculum Effect on the Efficacy of Daptomycin Monotherapy and in Combination with β-Lactams against Daptomycin-Susceptible Enterococcus faecium Harboring LiaSR Substitutions.

Enterococcus faecium isolates that harbor LiaFSR substitutions but are phenotypically susceptible to daptomycin (DAP) by current breakpoints are problematic, since predisposition to resistance may lead to therapeutic failure. Using a simulated endocardial vegetation (SEV) pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model, we investigated DAP regimens (6, 8, and 10 mg/kg of body weight/day) as monotherapy and in combination with ampicillin (AMP), ceftaroline (CPT), or ertapenem (ERT) against E. faecium HOU503, a DAP-susceptible strain that harbors common LiaS and LiaR substitutions found in clinical isolates (T120S and W73C, respectively). Of interest, the efficacy of DAP monotherapy, at any dose regimen, was dependent on the size of the inoculum. At an inoculum of ∼109 CFU/g, DAP doses of 6 to 8 mg/kg/day were not effective and led to significant regrowth with emergence of resistant derivatives. In contrast, at an inoculum of ∼107 CFU/g, marked reductions in bacterial counts were observed with DAP at 6 mg/kg/day, with no resistance. The inoculum effect was confirmed in a rat model using humanized DAP exposures. Combinations of DAP with AMP, CPT, or ERT demonstrated enhanced eradication and reduced potential for resistance, allowing de-escalation of the DAP dose. Persistence of the LiaRS substitutions was identified in DAP-resistant isolates recovered from the SEV model and in DAP-resistant derivatives of an initially DAP-susceptible clinical isolate of E. faecium (HOU668) harboring LiaSR substitutions that was recovered from a patient with a recurrent bloodstream infection. Our results provide novel data for the use of DAP monotherapy and combinations for recalcitrant E. faecium infections and pave the way for testing these approaches in humans.

Combination of Tedizolid and Daptomycin against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an In Vitro Model of Simulated Endocardial Vegetations.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major pathogen responsible for health care-associated infections, and treatment options are limited. Tedizolid (TZD) is a novel oxazolidinone antibiotic with activity against MRSA. Previously, daptomycin (DAP) has demonstrated synergy with other antibiotics against MRSA. We sought to determine the efficacy of the combination of TZD and DAP against MRSA in an in vitro model of simulated endocardial vegetations (SEVs). TZD simulations of 200 mg once daily and DAP simulations of 6 mg/kg of body weight and 10 mg/kg once daily were tested alone and in the combinations TZD plus DAP at 6 mg/kg or DAP at 10 mg/kg against two clinical strains of MRSA, 494 and 67. These regimens were tested in SEV models over 8 days to determine the antibacterial activity of the regimens and whether synergy or antagonism might be present between the agents. Against both strains 494 and 67 and at both DAP dose regimens, the combination of TZD and DAP was antagonistic at 192 h. In all cases, DAP alone was statistically superior to DAP plus TZD. When the combination was stopped after 96 h, transitioning to DAP at 6 mg/kg or DAP at 10 mg/kg alone resulted in better antibacterial activity than either of the TZD-plus-DAP combinations, further demonstrating antagonistic effects. Against MRSA, we demonstrated that TZD and DAP have antagonistic activity that hinders their overall antimicrobial efficacy. The exact nature of this antagonistic relationship is still undetermined, but its presence warrants further study of the potentially harmful grouping of the two antibiotics in clinical use.

Evaluation of daptomycin combinations with cephalosporins or gentamicin against Streptococcus mitis group strains in an in vitro model of simulated endocardial vegetations (SEVs)

Among viridans group streptococcal infective endocarditis (IE), the Streptococcus mitis group is the most common aetiological organism. Treatment of IE caused by the S. mitis group is challenging due to the high frequency of β-lactam resistance, drug allergy and intolerability of mainstay antimicrobial agents such as vancomycin or gentamicin. Daptomycin has been suggested as an alternative therapeutic option in these scenarios based on its excellent susceptibility profile against S. mitis group strains . However, the propensity of many S. mitis group strains to rapidly evolve stable, high-level daptomycin resistance potentially limits this approach. We evaluated the activity of 6 mg/kg/day daptomycin alone or in combination with gentamicin, ceftriaxone or ceftaroline against two daptomycin-susceptible S. mitis group strains over 96 h in a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model of simulated endocardial vegetations. Daptomycin alone was not bactericidal and high-level daptomycin resistance evolved at 96 h in both organisms. Combinations of daptomycin + ceftriaxone and daptomycin + ceftaroline demonstrated enhanced killing activity compared with each antibiotic alone and prevented emergence of daptomycin resistance at 96 h. Use of gentamicin as an adjunctive agent neither improved the efficacy of daptomycin nor prevented the development of daptomycin resistance. Addition of ceftriaxone or ceftaroline to daptomycin improves the bactericidal activity against S. mitis group strains and prevents daptomycin resistance emergence. Further investigation with combinations of daptomycin and β-lactams in a large number of strains is warranted to fully elucidate the clinical implications of such combinations for treatment of S. mitis group IE.

Pharmacodynamics of Ceftaroline plus Ampicillin against Enterococcus faecalis in an In Vitro Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model of Simulated Endocardial Vegetations.

The combination of ampicillin plus ceftaroline has been suggested to be more reliably synergistic against Enterococcus faecalis than ampicillin plus ceftriaxone using time-kill methods. The purpose of this study was to determine if this trend persists in a two-compartment model of simulated endocardial vegetations (SEV) using clinically relevant pharmacokinetic exposures of these antimicrobials. Three clinically derived E. faecalis strains were included in the study. The MICs of study antimicrobials were determined by broth microdilution. Simulations of ampicillin (2 g every 4 h [q4h]; maximum concentration of drug in serum [Cmax], 72.4 mg/liter; half-life [t1/2], 1.9 h), ceftaroline-fosamil (600 mg q8h; Cmax, 21.3 mg/liter; t1/2, 2.66 h), ceftriaxone (Cmax, 257 mg/liter; t1/2, 8 h), and ampicillin plus ceftaroline and ampicillin plus ceftriaxone were evaluated against 3 strains of E. faecalis isolated from patients with endocarditis in an in vitro PK/PD SEV model over 72 h, with a starting inoculum of ∼9 log10 CFU/g. All strains were susceptible to ampicillin (MIC, ≤2 mg/liter). Ceftaroline MICs varied from 2 to 16 mg/liter. All strains had ceftriaxone MICs of 256 mg/liter. W04 and W151 exhibited high-level aminoglycoside resistance but W07 did not. Ampicillin plus ceftaroline resulted in significantly greater reductions in CFU per gram by 72 h than ampicillin for all strains (P ≤ 0.025) than ampicillin plus ceftriaxone for W04 (P = 0.019) but not W07 or W151 (P ≥ 0.15). A 4-fold increase in ampicillin MIC was observed for W07 at 72 h, but this was prevented by the addition of ceftaroline or ceftriaxone. The combination of ampicillin plus ceftaroline appears to be at least as efficacious as ampicillin plus ceftriaxone and may lead to improved activity against some strains of E. faecalis, but these differences may be small and the clinical significance should not be overestimated.

Genomic Pathways Associated with Daptomycin (DAP) Resistance in DAP-Susceptible Enterococcus faecium Harboring Substitutions in LiaFSR

Background DAP is used off-label for treatment of severe enterococcal infections. DAP resistance (R) in E. faecium has been associated with changes in LiaFSR, a three-component regulatory system that controls the cell envelope stress response to antibiotics. In particular, substitutions in LiaS (T120A) and LiaR (W73C) seem to predispose to development of DAP-R during therapy, without increasing the DAP MIC above the clinical breakpoint. Using a PK/PD model of simulated endocardial vegetations, we evaluated the genomic pathways for DAP-R under different DAP dose schemes.Methods A DAP-susceptible E. faecium (HOU503; MIC 3 mg/ml) harboring the above LiaSR substitutions, was subjected to simulated human doses of 6, 8, and 10 mg/kg/d in the model for 14 days using a starting inoculum of 109 CFU/ml. Sixteen DAP-R isolates were recovered from the SEV model: five isolates from 6 mg/kg (D6 isolates from days 2 to 14); five isolates from 8 mg/kg (D8 isolates from days 2 to 8); and six isolates from 10 mg/kg (D10 isolates from days 1 to 14) which were subjected to whole genome sequencing. Reads from each sequenced isolate were mapped against the HOU503 genome for SNP analyses. Variant calling was done with GATK, SamTools, and the low-frequency variant detector from CLC Genomics Workbench 8.5. Variants detected by the three callers were selected and annotated with SnpEff; then compared among the different groups of isolates accordingly to the DAP doses that were exposed.ResultsWe detected a total of 16 proteins exhibiting substitutions consistently in all the DAP-R sequenced isolates; including mobile genetic elements (9), hypothetical proteins (2), a bacteriocin, a cysteine desulfurase, a N-acetylglucosamine-specific PTS system, a N-acetylmannosamine-6-phosphate 2-epimerase and a MurR/RpiR, which is a transcriptional regulator that represses the operon MurPQ involved in the uptake and degradation of N-acetylmuramic acid. Notably, mutations in cardiolipin synthase were present only in isolates recovered under D8 dose. The LiaRS substitutions remained in all isolates.Conclusion Using a humanized SEV PK/PD model and SNP-based analyses, we were able to uncover possible novel genetic pathways associated with the development DAP-R via the LiaFSR system in enterococci.Disclosures M. J. Rybak, Allergen: Scientific Advisor, Consulting fee

Defining daptomycin resistance prevention exposures in vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and E. faecalis.

Daptomycin is used off-label for enterococcal infections; however, dosing targets for resistance prevention remain undefined. Doses of 4 to 6 mg/kg of body weight/day approved for staphylococci are likely inadequate against enterococci due to reduced susceptibility. We modeled daptomycin regimens in vitro to determine the minimum exposure to prevent daptomycin resistance (Dapr) in enterococci. Daptomycin simulations of 4 to 12 mg/kg/day (maximum concentration of drug in serum [Cmax] of 57.8, 93.9, 123.3, 141.1, and 183.7 mg/liter; half-life [t1/2] of 8 h) were tested against one Enterococcus faecium strain (S447) and one Enterococcus faecalis strain (S613) in a simulated endocardial vegetation pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model over 14 days. Samples were plated on media containing 3× the MIC of daptomycin to detect Dapr. Mutations in genes encoding proteins associated with cell envelope homeostasis (yycFG and liaFSR) and phospholipid metabolism (cardiolipin synthase [cls] and cyclopropane fatty acid synthetase [cfa]) were investigated in Dapr derivatives. Dapr derivatives were assessed for changes in susceptibility, surface charge, membrane depolarization, cell wall thickness (CWT), and growth rate. Strains S447 and S613 developed Dapr after simulations of 4 to 8 mg/kg/day but not 10 to 12 mg/kg/day. MICs for Dapr strains ranged from 8 to 256 mg/liter. Some S613 derivatives developed mutations in liaF or cls. S447 derivatives lacked mutations in these genes. Dapr derivatives from both strains exhibited lowered growth rates, up to a 72% reduction in daptomycin-induced depolarization and up to 6-nm increases in CWT (P<0.01). Peak/MIC and AUC0-24/MIC ratios (AUC0-24 is the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h) associated with Dapr prevention were 72.1 and 780 for S447 and 144 and 1561 for S613, respectively. Daptomycin doses of 10 mg/kg/day may be required to prevent Dapr in serious enterococcal infections.

Activity of daptomycin or linezolid in combination with rifampin or gentamicin against biofilm-forming Enterococcus faecalis or E. faecium in an in vitro pharmacodynamic model using simulated endocardial vegetations and an in vivo survival assay using Galleria mellonella larvae.

Enterococci are the third most frequent cause of infective endocarditis. A high-inoculum stationary-phase in vitro pharmacodynamic model with simulated endocardial vegetations was used to simulate the human pharmacokinetics of daptomycin at 6 or 10 mg/kg of body weight/day or linezolid at 600 mg every 12 h (q12h), alone or in combination with gentamicin at 1.3 mg/kg q12h or rifampin at 300 mg q8h or 900 mg q24h. Biofilm-forming, vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (vancomycin-resistant enterococcus [VRE]) strains were tested. At 24, 48, and 72 h, all daptomycin-containing regimens demonstrated significantly more activity (decline in CFU/g) than any linezolid-containing regimen against biofilm-forming E. faecalis. The addition of gentamicin to daptomycin (at 6 or 10 mg/kg) in the first 24 h significantly improved bactericidal activity. In contrast, the addition of rifampin delayed the bactericidal activity of daptomycin against E. faecalis, and the addition of rifampin antagonized the activities of all regimens against VRE at 24 h. Also, against VRE, the addition of gentamicin to linezolid at 72 h improved activity and was bactericidal. Rifampin significantly antagonized the activity of linezolid against VRE at 72 h. In in vivo Galleria mellonella survival assays, linezolid and daptomycin improved survival. Daptomycin at 10 mg/kg improved survival significantly over that with linezolid against E. faecalis. The addition of gentamicin improved the efficacy of daptomycin against E. faecalis and those of linezolid and daptomycin against VRE. We conclude that in enterococcal infection models, daptomycin has more activity than linezolid alone. Against biofilm-forming E. faecalis, the addition of gentamicin in the first 24 h causes the most rapid decline in CFU/g. Of interest, the addition of rifampin decreased the activity of daptomycin against both E. faecalis and VRE.

Evaluation of the novel combination of daptomycin plus ceftriaxone against vancomycin-resistant enterococci in an in vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic simulated endocardial vegetation model.

Daptomycin has demonstrated synergy with β-lactams against Enterococcus faecium and this combination has been used successfully to treat infections refractory to daptomycin. We investigated daptomycin alone and combined with ceftriaxone against vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in an in vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic simulated endocardial vegetation (SEV) model. Daptomycin (6 and 12 mg/kg/day) with and without 2 g of ceftriaxone every 24 h were evaluated against two clinical E. faecium strains (8019 and 5938) and one Enterococcus faecalis (6981) in a 96 h in vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic SEV model. FITC-labelled poly-l-lysine was used to assess β-lactam-induced changes in cell surface charge. For 8019 and 6981, daptomycin 6 mg/kg with ceftriaxone and daptomycin 12 mg/kg alone and in combination with ceftriaxone displayed significantly more activity than daptomycin 6 mg/kg alone from 48 to 96 h (P ≤ 0.005). The addition of ceftriaxone significantly enhanced activity of daptomycin 6 mg/kg against both strains at 96 h (8019, reductions -0.55 versus 3.64 log10 cfu/g; 6981, reductions 1.11 versus 5.67 log10 cfu/g; P < 0.001) and improved daptomycin 12 mg/kg against 8019 at 96 h. Daptomycin 12 mg/kg plus ceftriaxone displayed no appreciable activity against 5938 (daptomycin MIC 32 mg/L). Daptomycin non-susceptibility developed in 8019 and 6981 versus daptomycin 6 mg/kg by 96 h. Ampicillin or ceftriaxone exposure reduced daptomycin surface charge in 8019, resulting in significantly increased FITC-poly-l-lysine binding. The combination of daptomycin and ceftriaxone may be promising for eradicating high-inoculum, deep-seated enterococcal infections. Further research is warranted to examine the enhancement of daptomycin and innate immunity killing of VRE by ceftriaxone and other β-lactams.

Evaluation of Ceftaroline, Vancomycin, Daptomycin, or Ceftaroline plus Daptomycin against Daptomycin-Nonsusceptible Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an In Vitro Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model of Simulated Endocardial Vegetations

Infective endocarditis (IE) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin and daptomycin has few adequate therapeutic options. Ceftaroline (CPT) is bactericidal against daptomycin (DAP)-nonsusceptible (DNS) and vancomycin-intermediate MRSA, but supporting data are limited for IE. This study evaluated the activities of ceftaroline, vancomycin, daptomycin, and the combination of ceftaroline plus daptomycin against DNS MRSA in a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model of simulated endocardial vegetations (SEVs). Simulations of ceftaroline-fosamil (600 mg) every 8 h (q8h) (maximum concentration of drug in serum [Cmax], 21.3 mg/liter; half-life [t1/2], 2.66 h), daptomycin (10 mg/kg of body weight/day) (Cmax, 129.7 mg/liter; t1/2, 8 h), vancomycin (1 g) q8h (minimum concentration of drug in serum [Cmin], 20 mg/liter; t1/2, 5 h), and ceftaroline plus daptomycin were evaluated against 3 clinical DNS, vancomycin-intermediate MRSA in a two-compartment, in vitro, PK/PD SEV model over 96 h with a starting inoculum of ∼8 log10 CFU/g. Bactericidal activity was defined as a ≥ 3-log10 CFU/g reduction from the starting inoculum. Therapeutic enhancement of combinations was defined as ≥ 2-log10 CFU/g reduction over the most active agent alone. MIC values for daptomycin, vancomycin, and ceftaroline were 4 mg/liter, 4 to 8 mg/liter, and 0.5 to 1 mg/liter, respectively, for all strains. At simulated exposures, vancomycin was bacteriostatic, but daptomycin and ceftaroline were bactericidal. By 96 h, ceftaroline monotherapy offered significantly improved killing compared to other agents against one strain. The combination of DAP plus CPT demonstrated therapeutic enhancement, resulting in significantly improved killing versus either agent alone against 2/3 (67%) strains. CPT demonstrated bactericidal activity against DNS, vancomycin-intermediate MRSA at high bacterial densities. Ceftaroline plus daptomycin may offer more rapid and sustained activity against some MRSA in the setting of high-inoculum infections like IE and should also be considered.