Ceftaroline activity against bacterial pathogens frequently isolated in U.S. medical centers: results from five years of the AWARE surveillance program

Novel antimicrobial strategies for diabetic foot infections: addressing challenges and resistance

AIMS

This review examines the challenges posed by Diabetic Foot Infections (DFIs), focusing on the impact of neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, immunopathy, and the polymicrobial nature of these infections. The aim is to explore the factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance and assess the potential of novel antimicrobial treatments and drug delivery systems in improving patient outcomes.

METHOD

A comprehensive analysis of existing literature on DFIs was conducted, highlighting the multifactorial pathogenesis and polymicrobial composition of these infections. The review delves into the rise of antimicrobial resistance due to the overuse of antimicrobials, biofilm formation, and microbial genetic adaptability. Additionally, it considers glycemic control, patient adherence, and recurrence rates as contributing factors to treatment failure. Emerging therapies, including new antimicrobial classes and innovative drug delivery systems, were evaluated for their potential efficacy.

RESULTS

DFIs present unique treatment challenges, with high rates of antimicrobial resistance and poor response to standard therapies. Biofilm formation and the genetic adaptability of pathogens worsen resistance, complicating treatment. Current antimicrobial therapies are further hindered by poor glycemic control and patient adherence, leading to recurrent infections. Novel antimicrobial classes and innovative delivery systems show promise in addressing these challenges by offering more targeted, effective treatments. These new approaches aim to reduce resistance and improve treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSION

DFIs remain a clinical challenge due to their multifactorial nature and antimicrobial resistance. The development of novel antimicrobials and drug delivery systems is crucial to improving patient outcomes and combating resistance. Future research should focus on enhancing treatment efficacy, reducing resistance, and addressing patient adherence to reduce the burden of DFIs.

Incidence and risk factors for mortality in patients treated with combined ceftaroline for Gram-positive infective endocarditis

BACKGROUND

Ceftaroline is a fifth-generation cephalosporin and represents an alternative in the treatment of infective endocarditis (IE). The main objective of this study was to describe the incidence of in-hospital and 42-day mortality in patients with IE treated with ceftaroline.

METHODS

An observational retrospective study included adult patients with IE admitted during a 3.5-year period (January 2018-June 2021) and treated with ceftaroline in a single center. All cases were definite or possible IE according to the modified Duke criteria.

RESULTS

Seventy cases were analyzed. The mean age was 67.35 ± 16.62 (16-89) and 39 (55.7%) were males. The mean number of days of treatment with ceftaroline was 21.26 ± 16.17 (1-75). Overall mortality at 42 days was 30%, 20.7% in the first line, and 36.6% in rescue therapy. Predictors of 42 days-mortality were increased Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) (OR of 1.7 per 1 point increment, 95% CI 1.2-2.4, P 0.001), presence of methicillin-resistance (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.3-36.8, P 0.026) and evidence of septic shock (OR 8.6 95% CI 1.7-44.2, P 0.01). Predictors of 42 days of therapeutic failure were the increase in the CCI (OR of 1.6 per 1 point increment, 95% CI 1.3-2.1, P 0.000) and septic shock (OR 4.5 95% CI 1.1-18 P 0.036). Adverse effects were described in 6/70 (8.6%) of the patients, precipitating in 4/70 (5.7%) the definitive withdrawal of the antibiotic.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of in-hospital and 42 day-mortality of IE patients treated with ceftaroline remains similar to literature data. Increased CCI, septic shock, and methicillin resistance are associated with poor prognosis.

Global trends of antimicrobial susceptibility to ceftaroline and ceftazidime-avibactam: a surveillance study from the ATLAS program (2012-2016)

BACKGROUND

This study reports the global trends of antimicrobial susceptibility to ceftaroline and ceftazidime-avibactam using data from the Antimicrobial Testing Leadership and Surveillance (ATLAS) program between 2012 and 2016.

METHODS

For the 2012-2016 ATLAS program, 205 medical centers located in Africa-Middle East (n = 12), Asia-Pacific (n = 32), Europe (n = 94), Latin America (n = 26), North America (n = 31), and Oceania (n = 10) consecutively collected the clinical isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and in vitro susceptibilities to ceftaroline and ceftazidime-avibactam were assessed using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2019and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) 2019 guidelines.

RESULTS

Between 2012 and 2016, 176,345 isolates were collected from around the globe and included in the analysis. Regarding Gram-negative bacteria, ceftazidime-avibactam demonstrated high susceptibility (> 90%) against Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with increased antimicrobial activity observed from the addition of avibactam (4 mg/L) to ceftazidime. Regarding Gram-positive bacteria, ceftaroline showed > 90% susceptibility against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, α-and β-hemolytic Streptococcus. The antimicrobial susceptibilities to ceftaroline and ceftazidime-avibactam were mostly stable from 2012 to 2016, but the susceptibilities to ceftazidime-avibactam to carbapenem-resistant (CR) Klebsiella pneumonia (88.4-81.6%) and to CR-P. aeruginosa (89.6-72.7%) decreased over time. In terms of regional difference, the susceptibilities of methicillin-resistant S. aureus to ceftaroline in Asia and of CR-K. pneumonia to ceftazidime-avibactam in Asia/Africa-Middle East were lower compared with other regions, while the susceptibility of CR-P. aeruginosa to ceftazidime-avibactam in North America was higher.

CONCLUSION

The addition of avibactam improves the activity of ceftazidime against Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa. The global antimicrobial susceptibilities to ceftaroline and ceftazidime-avibactam were, in general, stable from 2012 to 2016, but a marked reduction in the susceptibilities of specific species and CR-P. aeruginosa to ceftazidime-avibactam was observed.

Evaluating the antibacterial activity of ceftaroline against clinical isolates of methicillin-susceptible and- resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Kuwait hospitals

Ceftaroline fosamil has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections, including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. We evaluated the in-vitro activity of not-in-use ceftaroline against clinical isolates of methicillin- resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) S. aureus isolates. A total of 453 single-patient S. aureus isolates were tested for susceptibility to ceftaroline. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the MIC Evaluator. Disk diffusion test was performed using 30 μg ceftaroline disk according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute criteria. In total, 410 (90.5%) of the 453 strains were susceptible to ceftaroline at MIC of 1 mg/L while 9.8% isolates had MIC of 2-3 mg/L. Among the MSSA, 92.5% of the isolates were susceptible with MIC: 1 mg/L while 36 (7.9%) strains expressed intermediate resistance (MIC range of 2-3 mg/L). None of the strains was resistant (MIC: 4 mg/L). Ceftaroline showed good in-vitro activity against MSSA and MRSA which can serve as an effective alternative to vancomycin in treating infections caused by MRSA.

Ceftaroline fosamil therapy in patients with acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infections with systemic inflammatory signs: A retrospective dose comparison across three pivotal trials

This post-hoc analysis compared the pharmacokinetics and clinical outcomes of ceftaroline fosamil 600 mg every 12 (q12h) versus every 8 hours (q8h) in patients with acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infection (ABSSSI) and signs of sepsis. Clinical outcomes at test-of-cure in patients with ABSSSI and systemic inflammatory signs/systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) as well as ceftaroline minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against baseline pathogens were compared between the COVERS trial (ceftaroline fosamil 600 mg q8h, 2-h infusion) and the CANVAS 1 and 2 trials (ceftaroline fosamil 600 mg q12h, 1-h infusion). Ceftaroline exposure among patients in COVERS with or without markers of sepsis was compared using population pharmacokinetic modelling. In COVERS, 62% (312/506) and 41% (208/506) of ceftaroline fosamil-treated patients had ≥1 systemic inflammatory sign or SIRS, respectively, compared with 55% (378/693) and 22% (155/693), respectively, in the CANVAS trials. Clinical cure rates for the modified intent-to-treat population in COVERS and CANVAS were similar for ceftaroline fosamil-treated patients with ≥1 sign of sepsis [82% (255/312) and 85% (335/394)] and for those with SIRS [84% (168/199) and 85% (131/155)]. Ceftaroline MIC distributions were similar across trials. Sepsis did not affect predicted individual steady-state ceftaroline exposure. Clinical cure rates in patients with ≥1 systemic inflammatory sign or SIRS were comparable for both ceftaroline fosamil dosage regimens. Pathogen susceptibilities to ceftaroline were similar across trials. Ceftaroline exposure was not affected by disease severity. Ceftaroline fosamil 600 mg q12h is a robust dosage regimen for most ABSSSI patients with sepsis [ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01499277, NCT00424190, NCT00423657].

Ceftaroline fosamil for the treatment of Gram-positive endocarditis: CAPTURE study experience

BACKGROUND

The clinical experience of ceftaroline fosamil (CPT-F) therapy for Gram-positive infective endocarditis is reported from CAPTURE, a retrospective study conducted in the USA.

METHODS

Data, including patient demographics, medical history, risk factors, microbiological aetiology and clinical outcomes, were collected by review of patient charts between September 2013 and February 2015.

RESULTS

Patients (n=55) with Gram-positive endocarditis were treated with CPT-F. The most common risk factors were intravascular devices (43.6%), diabetes mellitus (40.0%) and injection drug use (38.2%). The most commonly isolated pathogens were meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; 80%), meticillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA; 7.3%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (7.3%). CPT-F was given as first-line therapy in 7.3% of patients and as second-line or later therapy in 92.7% of patients, and as monotherapy in 41.8% of patients and as concurrent therapy in 58.2% of patients. Clinical success was observed in 82.6% (19/23) of patients treated with CPT-F as monotherapy. In patients treated with CPT-F as first-line therapy or second-line or later therapy, 75.0% (3/4) and 70.6% (36/51) achieved success, respectively. Clinical success was observed in 77.3% (34/44) of patients with MRSA and 25% (1/4) of patients with MSSA. Two patients discontinued treatment with CPT-F due to an adverse event.

CONCLUSIONS

CPT-F treatment was associated with a high rate of clinical success in patients with Gram-positive infective endocarditis, including those with risk factors and infections caused by MRSA. A high rate of clinical success was observed in patients treated with CPT-F used as first- line therapy or second-line or later therapy, or as monotherapy or in combination with other antibiotics.

Antibiotic Resistance Rates by Geographic Region Among Ocular Pathogens Collected During the ARMOR Surveillance Study

Introduction

The Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring in Ocular micRoorganisms (ARMOR) study is an ongoing nationwide surveillance program that surveys in vitro antibiotic resistance rates and trends among ocular bacterial pathogens. We report resistance rates by geographic region for isolates collected from 2009 through 2016.

Methods

Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from ocular infections were collected at clinical centers across the US and categorized by geographic region based on state. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for various antibiotics were determined at a central laboratory, and isolates were classified as susceptible or resistant based on established breakpoints. Geographic differences in methicillin resistance among staphylococci were evaluated by χ² test with multiple comparisons, whereas geographic differences in mean percentage antibiotic resistance were evaluated by one-way analyses of variance and Tukey’s test.

Results

Overall, 4829 isolates (Midwest, 1886; West, 1167; Northeast, 1143; South, 633) were evaluated. Across all regions, azithromycin resistance was high among S. aureus (49.4–67.8%), CoNS (61.0–62.8%), and S. pneumoniae (22.3–48.7%), whereas fluoroquinolone resistance ranged from 26.1% to 47.8% among S. aureus and CoNS. Across all regions, all staphylococci were susceptible to vancomycin; besifloxacin MICs were similar to those of vancomycin. Geographic differences were observed for overall mean resistance among S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa isolates (p ≤ 0.005); no regional differences were found among CoNS and H. influenzae isolates. Methicillin resistance in particular was higher among S. aureus isolates from the South and CoNS isolates from the Midwest (p ≤ 0.006).

Conclusion

This analysis of bacterial isolates from the ARMOR study demonstrated geographic variation in resistance rates among ocular isolates, with greater in vitro resistance apparent in the South and Midwest for some organisms. These data may inform clinicians in selecting appropriate treatment options for ocular infections.

Funding

Bausch & Lomb, Inc.

Ceftaroline Activity Against Multidrug-Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae from U.S. Medical Centers (2014) and Molecular Characterization of a Single Ceftaroline Nonsusceptible Isolate

Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates (2,614) were collected from patients at 135 U.S. Medical Centers during 2014. Isolates were evaluated for multidrug resistance to penicillin, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and levofloxacin. A single isolate (853008) demonstrated a ceftaroline nonsusceptible minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value, and it was subjected to molecular characterization. Ceftaroline (MIC50/90, ≤0.015/0.12 μg/ml) was eightfold more potent than ceftriaxone (MIC50/90, ≤0.06/1 μg/ml) against all isolates. For multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates (28.8% of tested strains), ceftaroline (MIC50/90, 0.06/0.25 μg/ml; 99.9% susceptible) was the most active agent tested, being eightfold more active than ceftriaxone (MIC50/90, 0.25/2 μg/ml; 81.5% susceptible at MIC, ≤1 μg/ml) and 16-fold more active than penicillin (MIC50/90, 0.25/4 μg/ml; 78.5% susceptible at MIC, ≤2 μg/ml). Isolate 853008 was a single locus variant of sequence type 377 and serotype 35B. It had multiple substitutions in the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), mainly PBP2x, when compared with reference sequences from the R6 strain. Isolate 853008 showed 31 amino acid alterations in MurM. The in vitro data presented here confirm that ceftaroline potency against S. pneumoniae to be higher than other β-lactams, including against those isolates demonstrating ceftriaxone nonsusceptible and MDR phenotypes.

In vitro activity of ceftaroline and comparator agents against Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinical isolates from cancer patients

Bacterial infections are common in cancer patients. Ceftaroline (CFT) is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin with activity against most Gram-positive organisms (GPOs) and many Gram-negative organisms. In this study, the in vitro activity of CFT was compared with vancomycin (VAN), daptomycin (DAP), linezolid (LZD), trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (SXT) and tigecycline (TIG) against bacteria (predominantly blood culture isolates) isolated from cancer patients in 2014 and 2015. CFT was active against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), methicillin-susceptible coagulase-negative staphylococci (MS-CoNS) and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MR-CoNS) with MIC90 values (minimum inhibitory concentration that inhibited 90% of the isolates) of 0.25, 2.0, 0.12 and 0.5 mg/L, respectively. MIC90 values for other GPOs were: Bacillus spp., >8.0 mg/L; Corynebacterium spp., 2.0 mg/L; Micrococcus spp., <0.06 mg/L; viridans group streptococci, 0.5 mg/L; Streptococcus pneumoniae, 0.25 mg/L; and Streptococcus spp., <0.06 mg/L. Among the comparator agents, VAN, DAP, TIG and LZD were active against the majority of GPOs tested. CFT also had moderate activity against common extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-negative Gram-negative bacilli such as Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Proteus mirabilis and Serratia spp.

Fosfomycin and Comparator Activity Against Select Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas, and Enterococcus Urinary Tract Infection Isolates from the United States in 2012

INTRODUCTION

Fosfomycin is a broad-spectrum cell wall active agent that inhibits the MurA enzyme involved in peptidoglycan synthesis and is FDA-approved for treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis in women. Data regarding the susceptibility of recent UTI isolates to fosfomycin are limited.

METHODS

This study compared the fosfomycin susceptibility of 658 US UTI isolates with susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SXT). Isolates included E. coli (n = 257), Klebsiella spp. (n = 156), Enterobacter spp. (n = 79), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 60), E. faecalis (n = 54), and Proteus spp. (n = 52). Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli, Klebsiella spp., and Proteus mirabilis, ceftazidime-nonsusceptible P. aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp., and vancomycin-nonsusceptible E. faecalis were included.

RESULTS

Overall, the minimum concentration inhibiting 50% of isolates (MIC₅₀) and 90% of isolates (MIC₉₀) for fosfomycin were 4 and 64 µg/mL, respectively. Of the 257 E. coli isolates, 99.6% were susceptible to fosfomycin. Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, SXT, and nitrofurantoin susceptibility rates were 65.4%, 65.8%, 59.9%, and 90.3%, respectively. The fosfomycin-susceptibility rate for E. faecalis (94.4%) was comparable with the nitrofurantoin-susceptibility rate (98.1%). Among the 144 ESBL-producing isolates, the fosfomycin MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ values were 2 and 32 µg/mL, respectively. Fosfomycin MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ values were 16 and 128 µg/mL for the 38 ceftazidime-nonsusceptible Enterobacter isolates and 64 and 128 µg/mL for the 15 ceftazidime-nonsusceptible P. aeruginosa isolates, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that fosfomycin has in vitro activity against many US UTI isolates, including drug-resistant isolates, and may provide another therapeutic option for treatment of UTIs caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Ceftaroline for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia

PURPOSE

The utility of ceftaroline for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (MRSAB) is reviewed.

SUMMARY

Ceftaroline was originally approved for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) but recently received an additional approval for the treatment of S. aureus bacteremia (SAB) associated with ABSSSIs. Ceftaroline has demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of MRSAB, including isolates with elevated minimum inhibitory concentrations to conventional therapy when used alone or in combination with other agents. In multiple studies, ceftaroline has displayed rapid bloodstream eradication, even in the setting of refractory MRSAB or infective endocarditis. The clinical resolution of MRSAB or SAB in patients who received ceftaroline ranged from 31.0% to 83.3%; studies used varying definitions for clinical resolution and included differing proportions of patients with endocarditis. The use of ceftaroline in treatment-refractory patients and assorted populations makes absolute effectiveness difficult to determine. Ceftaroline has been shown to be effective in patients who have not responded to other agents for MRSAB, making it an attractive option for such patients. Although the approved dosing regimen for ceftaroline fosamil is 600 mg every 12 hours for patients with normal renal function for the treatment of ABSSSIs and CABP, there is some debate about whether more frequent doses (i.e., every 8 hours) are needed for MRSAB.

CONCLUSION

Ceftaroline has been used to successfully treat SAB, including endocarditis. Therapy with ceftaroline may be considered when antibiotic resistance or previous treatment failure precludes the use of first-line agents.

Use of Ceftaroline Fosamil in Children: Review of Current Knowledge and its Application

Ceftaroline is a novel cephalosporin recently approved in children for treatment of acute bacterial skin and soft tissue infections and community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and other susceptible bacteria. With a favorable tolerability profile and efficacy proven in pediatric patients and excellent in vitro activity against resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, ceftaroline may serve as a therapeutic option for polymicrobial infections, CABP caused by penicillin- and ceftriaxone-resistant S. pneumoniae and resistant Gram-positive infections that fail first-line antimicrobial agents. However, limited data are available on tolerability in neonates and infants younger than 2 months of age, and on pharmacokinetic characteristics in children with chronic medical conditions and those with invasive, complicated infections. In this review, the microbiological profile of ceftaroline, its mechanism of action, and pharmacokinetic profile will be presented. Additionally, clinical evidence for use in pediatric patients and proposed place in therapy is discussed.

Ceftaroline as Salvage Monotherapy for Persistent MRSA Bacteremia

OBJECTIVE

To summarize published data regarding the use of ceftaroline as salvage monotherapy for persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed (January 1980-June 2016) was searched using combinations of the search terms methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, bacteremia, ceftaroline, refractory, and persistent Supplemental references were generated through review of identified literature citations.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Available English-language, full-text articles pertaining to the use of ceftaroline for persistent MRSA bacteremia (MRSAB) were included.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The PubMed search yielded 23 articles for evaluation. There are no randomized controlled trials to date-only case series and reports. Four retrospective case series detailing the use of ceftaroline as monotherapy for persistent MRSAB were included. Most patients received at least 4 days of an appropriate anti-MRSA antimicrobial prior to ceftaroline and were able to clear bacteremia within 3 days. The most common rationales for ceftaroline use were progression of disease or nonresponse to current therapy. Higher off-label dosing of ceftaroline is often utilized to achieve optimal pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters. Adverse events are not well described due to lack of follow-up; however, neutropenia has been associated with prolonged use.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment options for persistent MRSAB remain few and far between. Ceftaroline is an effective agent for the salvage treatment of MRSAB. Off-label doses up to 600 mg every 8 hours are often used to achieve optimal pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters. Because of lack of follow-up in these reports, the incidence of adverse effects of prolonged use of ceftaroline is not well defined.

Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of community- and hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from United States Hospitals: results from the AWARE Ceftaroline Surveillance Program (2012-2014)

Among 8437 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates collected from 143 medical centers in the United States (2012-2014), 7116 and 1321 were reported as community-acquired (CA) and hospital-acquired (HA) MRSA, respectively. CA-/HA-MRSA were most often isolated from patients with skin and skin structure infections (SSSI; 68.4/26.9%), pneumonia (13.7/49.0%) and bacteremia (10.0/17.7%). Overall, susceptibility rates were generally lower among HA-MRSA compared to CA-MRSA strains, especially for clindamycin (44.6 vs. 66.1%) and levofloxacin (21.4 vs. 35.5%). Also, susceptibility rates were lower for these two compounds among isolates from pneumonia compared to SSSI and bacteremia. Ceftaroline was broadly active against 98.0% of CA-MRSA and 94.3% of HA-MRSA (MIC50/90, 1μg/mL for both; no resistant isolate) overall, with little variation among infection type subsets.

Antimicrobial Activity of Ceftaroline Tested against Staphylococcus aureus from Surgical Skin and Skin Structure Infections in US Medical Centers

BACKGROUND

Ceftaroline fosamil is a novel cephalosporin approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection, including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We evaluated the activity of ceftaroline and comparator agents tested against S. aureus isolated from surgical skin and skin structure infections (SSSI).

METHODS

Clinically substantial isolates (one/patient episode) from SSSI were consecutively collected from 64 medical centers in the United States over a 6-y period (2008-2013) and tested for susceptibility by broth microdilution methods against ceftaroline and several comparator agents.

RESULTS

Among 794 strains tested, 50.5% were MRSA. Ceftaroline was active against all methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA; minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC]90, 0.25 mcg/mL) and nearly all MRSA (MIC90, 1 mcg/mL). Against MSSA, ceftaroline was 16-fold more potent than ceftriaxone (MIC90, 4 mcg/mL) and the highest ceftaroline MIC was 0.5 mcg/mL. Among MRSA, 97.5% and 100.0% of strains were inhibited at ≤1 and ≤2 mcg/mL of ceftaroline. Furthermore, 27.4% and 67.5% of MRSA were resistant to clindamycin and levofloxacin, respectively. Daptomycin (MIC50/90, 0.25/0.5 mcg/mL), linezolid (MIC50/90, 1/2 mcg/mL), tigecycline (MIC50/90, 0.06/0.12 mcg/mL) and vancomycin (MIC50/90, 1/2 mcg/mL) were also highly active against S. aureus strains.

CONCLUSIONS

Ceftaroline exhibited potent in vitro activity against S. aureus causing SSSI in a large number of US hospitals, including MRSA. On the basis of this in vitro data, ceftaroline fosamil may represent a valuable option for treatment of surgical SSSI, and should be further evaluated as an agent for surgical prophylaxis that would cover MRSA.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Stockholm, Sweden: Molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibilities to ceftaroline, linezolid, mupirocin and vancomycin in 2014

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a public health problem worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate the molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibilities of MRSA strains in Stockholm, Sweden in 2014. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to characterise the strains. Antimicrobial susceptibilities to ceftaroline, linezolid and mupirocin were determined by the disc diffusion method. Etest was used to determine vancomycin susceptibility and to confirm resistance to ceftaroline, mupirocin and linezolid in non-susceptible strains. High-level ceftaroline-resistant strains [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)≥4mg/L] were confirmed by the broth microdilution method. spa typing was carried out on strains that were non-susceptible to the antibiotics tested. In total, 743 consecutive non-duplicate MRSA strains recovered in Stockholm in 2014 were investigated. PFGE analysis of the isolates revealed a population with 271 different PFGE patterns and three non-typeable strains. No PFGE type accounted for >10% of all strains. The most common PFGE types were MRSA-00-02 (6.9%) and MRSA-05-02 (4.6%). MRSA-05-02 is a USA300-like strain. The antimicrobial susceptibilities of the strains were as follows: ceftaroline, 98.5%; linezolid, 100%; mupirocin, 99.3%; and vancomycin, 100%. Two strains with spa t001 displayed ceftaroline MICs of 4mg/L. Three strains with spa types t002, t064 and t437 showed high-level mupirocin resistance (MIC>1024mg/L). In conclusion, there was a diverse genetic population among the MRSA isolates and no predominant genotype was found. This study identified a few strains with high-level ceftaroline resistance, high-level mupirocin resistance and high-risk genotypes.

Antimicrobial activity of ceftaroline and comparator agents when tested against numerous species of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus causing infection in US hospitals

A total of 1593 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) considered clinically significant were collected from 71 US medical centers in 2013-2014 and tested for susceptibility by CLSI broth microdilution methods. Species identification was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Overall, 59.7% of isolates were oxacillin resistant (MRCoNS). Ceftaroline (MIC50/90, 0.25/0.5μg/mL) inhibited 99.2% of CoNS at ≤1μg/mL (susceptible breakpoint for Staphylococcus aureus), including 98.7% of MRCoNS, and the highest ceftaroline MIC value was 2μg/mL (13 isolates). Staphylococcus epidermidis represented 60.3% of the CoNS collection and was highly susceptible to ceftaroline (MIC50/90, 0.25/0.5μg/mL, 99.9% inhibited at ≤1μg/mL). All isolates of Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus caprae, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, Staphylococcus pettenkoferi, Staphylococcus simulans, and Staphylococcus warneri (MIC50/90, 0.06-0.25/0.25-0.5μg/mL) were inhibited at ceftaroline MIC of ≤1μg/mL. Staphylococcus haemolyticus represented only 4.8%, was atypically less susceptible to ceftaroline (MIC50/90, 0.5/2μg/mL, 87.0% inhibited at ≤1μg/mL), and accounted for 76.9% (10/13) of isolates with ceftaroline MIC >1μg/mL.

Differences in the pharmacodynamics of ceftaroline against different species of Enterobacteriaceae studied in an in vitro pharmacokinetic model of infection

OBJECTIVES

Dose-ranging experiments were performed to study the pharmacodynamics of ceftaroline against Enterobacteriaceae.

METHODS

A range of fT>MIC values (0%-100%) were simulated over 96 h using a single-compartment dilutional in vitro pharmacokinetic model using Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Citrobacter koseri and Serratia marcescens (n = 16). Antibacterial effect was assessed by change in viable count and population profiles by growth on ceftaroline MIC ×2, ×4 and ×8 agar plates. The fT>MIC (%) was related to antibacterial effect using a sigmoid Emax model.

RESULTS

The 24 h bacteriostatic effect fT>MIC was 39.7% ± 15.7% and 43.2% ± 15.6% for a -1 log drop for all strains. E. coli required lower exposures than K. pneumoniae, i.e. 24 h fT>MIC for a -3 log drop in viable count was 40.0% ± 9.6% and 84.8% ± 15.2% for K. pneumoniae. Similarly at 96 h, fT>MIC was >100% for K. pneumoniae (for four of five strains), 27.2%-66.2% for E. coli and 16.2%-86.6% for P. mirabilis. Strain-to-strain variation within species in the fT>MIC for static and cidal effect was marked; the 24 h bacteriostatic range was 14.1%-73.4% for P. mirabilis, 34.2%-44.6% for E. coli and 42.2%-62.5% for K. pneumoniae. Changes in ceftaroline population analysis profiles were observed with E. coli, K. pneumoniae and C. koseri, especially at fT>MIC values just below the bacteriostatic effect exposures.

CONCLUSIONS

The pharmacodynamics of ceftaroline against the species within the Enterobacteriaceae group are different. K. pneumoniae requires higher drug exposures than E. coli, and P. mirabilis strains are highly variable, which may have important clinical correlates. Translational extrapolations from preclinical observations using E. coli to other Enterobacteriaceae species may not be optimal.

Antimicrobial Activities of Ceftaroline and Comparator Agents against Bacterial Organisms Causing Bacteremia in Patients with Skin and Skin Structure Infections in U.S. Medical Centers, 2008 to 2014

We evaluated the antimicrobial susceptibility of 1,454 organisms consecutively collected from patients with bacteremia associated with skin and skin structure infections. The most common organisms obtained wereStaphylococcus aureus(670 organisms [46.1%]),Escherichia coli(200 organisms [13.8%]), β-hemolytic streptococci (βHS) (138 organisms [9.5%]), andKlebsiella pneumoniae(109 organisms [7.5%]). The susceptibility rates for ceftaroline were 97.9% forS. aureus(95.9% among methicillin-resistantS. aureus[MRSA]), 100.0% for βHS, 86.5% forE. coli, and 89.0% forK. pneumoniae Ceftaroline and tigecycline provided the best overall coverage.

Ceftaroline activity tested against viridans group streptococci from US hospitals

A total of 840 clinically relevant viridans group streptococci (VGS) isolates (1/patient episode) were collected from 71 US medical centers in 2013-2014. These organisms were tested for susceptibility by reference broth microdilution methods against ceftaroline and selected comparator agents. All isolates were speciated by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and were primarily from skin/soft tissue (32.6%) and bloodstream (32.3%) infections. Ceftaroline was highly active against all VGS species/groups with MIC50 and MIC90 values ranging from ≤0.015 to 0.03μg/mL and ≤0.015 to 0.06μg/mL, respectively. The highest ceftaroline MIC value was only 0.5μg/mL (0.5% of strains) and ceftaroline (MIC50/90, 0.03/0.06μg/mL) was 8-fold more active than ceftriaxone (MIC50/90, 0.25/0.5μg/mL). The VGS groups most susceptible to ceftaroline were Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus bovis (MIC90, ≤0.015μg/mL), whereas the highest ceftaroline MIC values were observed among Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus sanguinis groups. In summary, ceftaroline exhibited potent in vitro activity against VGS, including many uncommonly isolated species/groups for which very limited susceptibility information is currently available to guide therapy.

In vitro activity of ceftaroline against staphylococci from prosthetic joint infection

We tested the in vitro activity of ceftaroline by Etest against staphylococci recovered from patients with prosthetic joint infection, including 97 Staphylococcus aureus isolates (36%, oxacillin resistant) and 74 Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates (74%, oxacillin resistant). Ceftaroline inhibited all staphylococci at ≤0.5 μg/mL. The ceftaroline MIC(90/50) values for methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, methicillin-susceptible S. epidermidis, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, and methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis were 0.19/0.125, 0.094/0.047, 0.5/0.38, and 0.38/0.19 μg/mL, respectively. Based on these in vitro findings, ceftaroline should be further evaluated as a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of prosthetic joint infection caused by methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. aureus and S. epidermidis.

Reduced In Vitro Activity of Ceftaroline by Etest among Clonal Complex 239 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Strains from Australia

A total of 421 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates were tested for ceftaroline susceptibility by Etest (bioMérieux). A multidrug resistant phenotype was found in 40.9%, and clonal complex 239 (CC239) was found in 33.5%. Ceftaroline nonsusceptibility (MIC, >1.0 μg/ml) was 16.9% overall. Nonsusceptibility was significantly higher in CC239 (41.1%, 58/141) and in isolates with a multidrug resistant phenotype (35.5%, 61/172) compared with comparators (P < 0.0001). Nonsusceptibility of common multidrug resistant MRSA clones limits the empirical use of ceftaroline for these infections.

New antibiotics against gram-positives: present and future indications

Gram-positive cocci are the most frequent aetiology of community and nosocomially bacterial acquired infections. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant gram-positive bacteria is increasing and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. New antibiotics will be available in the European market during the next months. This revision is focused on lipoglycopeptides, new cephalosporins active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the new oxazolidinone, tedizolid. The purpose of this review is to describe their in vitro activity, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics, and experience from clinical trials.