Comparison of in vitro activities of plazomicin and other aminoglycosides against clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli

Biological and genomic characteristics of three novel bacteriophages and a phage-plasmid of Klebsiella pneumoniae

Bacteriophages have emerged as promising candidates for the treatment of difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. The aim of this study is to isolate and characterize phages infecting carbapenem-resistant and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producer Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. Water samples were taken for the isolation of bacteriophages. One-step growth curve, the optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI), thermal and pH stabilities, transmission electron microscopy and whole-genome sequencing of phages were studied. Four phages were isolated and named Klebsiella phage Kpn02, Kpn17, Kpn74, and Kpn13. The optimal MOI and latent periods of phage Kpn02, Kpn17, Kpn74, and Kpn13 were 10, 1, 0.001, and 100 PFU/CFU and 20, 10, 20, and 30 min, respectively. Burst sizes ranged from 811 to 2363. No known antibiotic resistance and virulence genes were identified. No tRNAs were detected except Klebsiella phage Kpn02 which encodes 24 tRNAs. Interestingly, Klebsiella phage Kpn74 was predicted to be a lysogenic phage whose prophage is a linear plasmid molecule with covalently closed ends. Of the Klebsiella-infecting phages presented in current study, virulent phages suggest that they may represent candidate therapeutic agents against MDR K. pneumoniae, based on short latent period, high burst sizes and no known antibiotic resistance and virulence genes in their genomes.

Reviewing novel treatment options for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales

INTRODUCTION

Carbapenem resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are a major threat to global health and hospital-onset CRE infections have risen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Novel antimicrobials are now available for the treatment of CRE infections. There remains an urgent need for new antimicrobials for CRE, especially for those producing metallo-β-lactamases.

AREAS COVERED

This article discusses previously published research supporting currently available novel antimicrobials for the treatment of CRE infections. Newer compounds currently being evaluated in clinical trials are covered. A literature search was conducted in PubMed over all available dates for relevant published papers and conference abstracts with the search terms, 'CRE,' 'carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales,' 'β-lactam-β-lactamase inhibitor,' 'KPC,' 'NDM,' 'metallo-β-lactamase,' 'ceftazidime-avibactam,' 'meropenem-vaborbactam,' 'imipenem-cilastatin-relebactam,' 'cefiderocol,' 'eravacycline,' 'plazomicin,' 'taniborbactam,' 'zidebactam,' and 'nacubactam.'

EXPERT OPINION

Novel antimicrobials for CRE infections have been developed, most notably the β-lactam-β-lactamase inhibitor combinations, though treatment options for infections with metallo-β-lactamase producing Enterobacterales remain few and have limitations. Development of antibiotics with activity against metallo-β-lactamase producing Enterobacterales is eagerly awaited, and there are promising new compounds in clinical trials. Finally, more clinical research is needed to optimize and individualize treatment approaches, which will help guide antimicrobial stewardship initiatives aimed at reducing the spread of CRE and development of further resistance.

Evaluation of the Lytic Activity of Various Phage Cocktails Against, ESBL-Producer, Non-Producer and Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates

Bacteriophages have been proposed as an alternative therapy for the treatment of bacterial infections. This research aims to determine the lytic activity of bacteriophage-cocktails (BC) against carbapenem-resistant (CR-EC), ESBL-producer (EP-EC), and non-producer (NP-EC) E. coli isolates. Related resistance genes in 87 E. coli isolates were screened by PCR. The efficacies of BCs were determined by spot test and lytic zones were evaluated from fully-confluent to opaque. MOIs of the BCs were compared for fully-confluent and opaque lytic zones. BCs were also evaluated in terms of their biophysical characteristics including latency, burst size, pH and temperature stabilities. Among EP-EC, 96.9% of the isolates carry blaCTX-M, 25% of them blaSHV and 15.6% of them carry blaTEM. All CR-EC isolates carried blaOXA-48, but not blaKPC and blaNDM. CR-EC isolates were the least susceptible for the each of four BCs. MOIs for ENKO, SES and INTESTI-phage forming fully-confluent zone in E. coli isolates EC3 (NP-EC), EC8 (EP-EC) and EC27 (NP-EC), respectively were 10, 100 and 1, respectively. MOIs for ENKO, SES and INTESTI opaque zone in EC19 (EP-EC), EC10 (EP-EC), EC1(NP-EC), respectively were 0.01, 0.01, 0.1 PFU/CFU, respectively. The MOI for PYO-phage forming a semi-confluent zone in EC6 (NP-EC) isolate was 1 PFU/CFU. The phages were thermally stable and tolerant to a wide pH range. Comparison of MOIs according to lysis zone characteristics demonstrated that the activities of phages in phage cocktails vary depending on the characteristics of each bacterial host.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-023-01074-9.

How to use new antibiotics in the therapy of serious multidrug resistant Gram-negative infections?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Multidrug resistant Gram-negative infections are becoming more common and pose a serious threat to both individual patients and the population as a whole. Treatment of these infections can be difficult and result in significant morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this review is to discuss information and strategies for using new antibiotics to combat these infections.

RECENT FINDINGS

Eight new antibiotics represent possible means to treat multidrug resistant Gram-negative infections. Although no new mechanisms of action are present amongst these new antibiotics, novel additions to previously utilized mechanisms have been shown to be viable options for treatment of highly resistant organisms.

SUMMARY

The novel antibiotics considered in this review have varying data on their use as empiric treatment of patients at high risk for multidrug resistant organisms and as final therapy for identified multidrug resistant organisms. Cefiderocol, ceftazidime-avibactam, ceftolozane-tazobactam, meropenem-vaborbactam, and imipenem-relabactam have the best support evidence for use in this patient population.

Comparative in vitro activities of omadacycline, eravacycline and tigecycline against non-ESBL-producing, ESBL-producing and carbapenem-resistant isolates of K. pneumoniae

Introduction. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are characterized by the World Health Organization as pathogens for which new antibiotics are urgently needed. Omadacycline and eravacycline are two novel antibacterials within the tetracycline class.

Gap Statement. There are limited data regarding the comparison of the activities of omadacycline, eravacycline and tigecycline against K. pneumoniae isolates with different antimicrobial susceptibility profiles.

Aim. Our objective was to compare the in vitro activities of omadacycline, eravacycline and tigecycline against a collection of K. pneumoniae isolates, including non-ESBL-producing, ESBL-producing and carbapenem-resistant strains.

Methodology. Ninety-four K. pneumoniae isolates, including 30 non-ESBL-producing, 30 ESBL-producing and 34 carbapenem-resistant (22 carrying bla OXA-48, 12 carrying bla NDM) strains were included in the study. ESBL and carbapenemase genes were detected by conventional PCR. Omadacycline, eravacycline and tigecycline MICs were determined by the gradient diffusion method and interpreted using US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-defined breakpoints.

Results. Overall, the percentage of tigecycline-susceptible strains (97.9 %) was higher than the percentage of omadacyline-susceptible (75.5 %) and eravacycline-susceptible (72.3 %) strains. The omadacycline and eravacycline susceptibility rates were 83.3 % among non-ESBL-producing isolates and 66.7 % among ESBL-producing isolates. The most common ESBL gene detected was blaCTX -M (90 %), followed by bla TEM (50 %) and bla SHV (50 %). The omadacycline and eravacycline susceptibility rate among isolates carrying bla TEM was 33.3 %, whereas it was 100 % among isolates that do not carry bla TEM. The omadacycline and eravacycline susceptibility rates among carbapenem-resistant isolates were 76.5 and 67.6 %, respectively. The omadacycline susceptibility rates among bla OXA-48-positive and bla NDM-positive isolates were 77.3 and 75.0 %, respectively. The eravacycline susceptibility rates among bla OXA-48-positive and bla NDM-positive isolates were 68.2 and 66.7 %, respectively. One carbapenem-resistant isolate was intermediate and one ESBL-producing isolate was resistant to tigecycline.

Conclusion. Overall, tigecycline was the most active tetracycline against isolates. Omadacycline and eravacycline showed excellent activity against ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae isolates that do not carry bla TEM. Omadacycline showed reasonable activity against carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates carrying bla OXA-48 or bla NDM.