Determining the optimal dosing of a novel combination regimen of ceftazidime/avibactam with aztreonam against NDM-1-producing Enterobacteriaceae using a hollow-fibre infection model

Abstract

Background MBL-producing strains of Enterobacteriaceae are a major public health concern. We sought to define optimal combination regimens of ceftazidime/avibactam with aztreonam in a hollow-fibre infection model (HFIM) of MBL-producing strains of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Methods E. coli ARLG-1013 (blaNDM-1, blaCTX-M, blaCMY, blaTEM) and K. pneumoniae ARLG-1002 (blaNDM-1, blaCTXM-15, blaDHA, blaSHV, blaTEM) were studied in the HFIM using simulated human dosing regimens of ceftazidime/avibactam and aztreonam. Experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of staggered versus simultaneous administration, infusion duration and aztreonam daily dose (6 g/day versus 8 g/day) on bacterial killing and resistance suppression. Prospective validation experiments for the most active combination regimens were performed in triplicate to ensure reproducibility. Results Staggered administration of the combination (ceftazidime/avibactam followed by aztreonam) was found to be inferior to simultaneous administration. Longer infusion durations (2 h and continuous infusion) also resulted in enhanced bacterial killing relative to 30 min infusions. The rate of killing was more pronounced with 8 g/day versus 6 g/day aztreonam combination regimens for both tested strains. In the prospective validation experiments, ceftazidime/avibactam with aztreonam dosed every 8 and 6 h, respectively (ceftazidime/avibactam 2/0.5 g every 8 h + aztreonam 2 g every 6 h), or ceftazidime/avibactam with aztreonam as continuous infusions resulted in maximal bacterial killing and resistance suppression over 7 days. Conclusions Simultaneous administration of aztreonam 8 g/day given as a continuous or 2 h infusion with ceftazidime/avibactam resulted in complete bacterial eradication and resistance suppression. Further study of this combination is needed with additional MBL-producing Gram-negative pathogens. The safety of this double β-lactam strategy also warrants further study in Phase 1 clinical trials.

Therapeutic Options for Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales

“…A recent hollow-fiber infection model study found that human-simulated dosing of CAZ-AVI 2-0.5 g every 8 h plus ATM 2 g every 6 h over 2 h, or both agents administered as continuous infusions yielded the greatest bacterial killing without emergence of resistance over 7 days. 62 This in vitro study may provide guidance for use clinically while awaiting further studies. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) target parameters of this combination against MBL-producing Enterobacterales has yet to be fully elucidated.…”

Antimicrobial Treatment Strategies for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: A Focus on Novel Therapies

“…A hollow fiber infection model examining different dosing regimens suggested a preferred regimen of simultaneous administration of ceftazidime/avibactam with aztreonam as opposed to staggered sequential administration, no difference between extended infusion and or standard infusion rate, and possible superiority of 8gm of daily aztreonam. This modelling was based on two New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase Enterobacteriaceae strains [80,81].…”

The Revival of Aztreonam in Combination with Avibactam against Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Gram-Negatives: A Systematic Review of In Vitro Studies and Clinical Cases

“…The paramount issue is that the optimum pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (Pk/Pd) target for ATM in combination with CZA is still to be determined. According to in vitro models, optimal eradication and resistance suppression may be achieved by administering 8 g instead of 6 g per day of ATM (as continuous or 2-h infusion each 6 h of 2 g) plus 2.5 g each 8 h of CZA [ 78 ]. Monte Carlo simulations run from a PK analysis of clinical samples of MBL-producing isolates from highly comorbid patients demonstrate that standard dosage (CZA 2.5 g and ATM 2 g every 8 h, the most frequent according to our systematic review) fulfilled the time-dependent Pd targets for these agents [ 79 ].…”