Ceftazidime/Avibactam in Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Due to Difficult-to-Treat Non-Fermenter Gram-Negative Bacteria in COVID-19 Patients: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

oleh: Giulia Jole Burastero, Gabriella Orlando, Antonella Santoro, Marianna Menozzi, Erica Franceschini, Andrea Bedini, Adriana Cervo, Matteo Faltoni, Erica Bacca, Emanuela Biagioni, Irene Coloretti, Gabriele Melegari, Jessica Maccieri, Stefano Busani, Elisabetta Bertellini, Massimo Girardis, Giulia Ferrarini, Laura Rofrano, Mario Sarti, Cristina Mussini, Marianna Meschiari

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-07-01

Deskripsi

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in critically ill patients with COVID-19 represents a very huge global threat due to a higher incidence rate compared to non-COVID-19 patients and almost 50% of the 30-day mortality rate. <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> was the first pathogen involved but uncommon non-fermenter gram-negative organisms such as <i>Burkholderia cepacea</i> and <i>Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</i> have emerged as other potential etiological causes. Against carbapenem-resistant gram-negative microorganisms, Ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA) is considered a first-line option, even more so in case of a ceftolozane/tazobactam resistance or shortage. The aim of this report was to describe our experience with CZA in a case series of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the ICU with VAP due to difficult-to-treat (DTT) <i>P. aeruginosa</i>, <i>Burkholderia cepacea</i>, and <i>Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</i> and to compare it with data published in the literature. A total of 23 patients were treated from February 2020 to March 2022: 19/23 (82%) VAPs were caused by <i>Pseudomonas</i> spp. (16/19 DTT), 2 by <i>Burkholderia cepacea</i>, and 6 by <i>Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</i>; 12/23 (52.1%) were polymicrobial. Septic shock was diagnosed in 65.2% of the patients and VAP occurred after a median of 29 days from ICU admission. CZA was prescribed as a combination regimen in 86% of the cases, with either fosfomycin or inhaled amikacin or cotrimoxazole. Microbiological eradication was achieved in 52.3% of the cases and the 30-day overall mortality rate was 14/23 (60.8%). Despite the high mortality of critically ill COVID-19 patients, CZA, especially in combination therapy, could represent a valid treatment option for VAP due to DTT non-fermenter gram-negative bacteria, including uncommon pathogens such as <i>Burkholderia cepacea</i> and <i>Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</i>.