Antibiotics

Investigators found increased mortality in the combination arm where 21% of patients died vs 16% in the standard therapy arm, although the number of patients with persistent bacteremia at day 5 in the combination arm was significantly reduced compared with standard therapy.

Investigators detail the activity of cefiderocol, a novel parenteral siderophore cephalosporin, against carbapenem-resistant clinical isolates.

In a study of hospitalized patients across Europe, oritavancin (MIC50/MIC90, 0.03/0.06 mg/L) inhibited all S aureus isolates at ≤0.12 mg/L (susceptible breakpoint).

Ignacio Martin-Loeches, MD, PhD, discusses the efficacy outcomes of the ASPECT-NP trial evaluating ceftolozane/tazobactam for the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia.

A large percentage (96%) of health care worker respondents reported feeling confident in their knowledge of antibiotic resistance, but only 60% answered the 7 key questions correctly.

Although the rate of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions is down overall, a new study highlights how the United States may be falling short of meeting antibiotic stewardship goals.

Warnings and concerns regarding fluoroquinolones are on the rise, but the antibiotics still play a role, albeit more limited, in the treatment of various infectious diseases.

A commentary on β-lactam combination therapy for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

This In the Literature piece details a study evaluating the appropriateness of prescriptions in comparison to evidence-based guidelines and expert opinion.

Investigators are now exploring whether the “health care-associated” label for pneumonia is actually doing more damage than anticipated.

The study found that that acute care hospitals with a 20% reduction in fluoroquinolone or third and fourth generation cephalosporins had a “corresponding decrease” in hospital-onset C diff.

Clinicians who avoid writing antibiotics prescriptions for elderly patients with urinary tract infections may be putting those patients at risk for bloodstream infections.

Hospitals that try to discourage the use of fluoroquinolones succeed at lowering prescriptions for patients admitted to the hospital, but many of those patients still leave with prescriptions for fluoroquinolones at discharge.

Investigators in Denmark showed that a cocktail of common antibiotics could fight resistant E coli and treat urinary tract infections after determining that resistance toward 1 drug leads to sensitivity to another.

T2 Biosystems, Inc. received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its T2Resistane Panel, a new device to aid in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

Jason Gallagher, PharmD, FCCP, FIDP, FIDSA, BCPS, kicks off his second year as editor-in-chief by welcoming 6 industry experts on as section editors.

Antibiotic prescription following ventilation in children with RSV-LRTI was associated with a 1.21-day shorter duration of ventilation and a 2.07-day shorter length of hospital stay.

Evidence suggests AUC-guided vancomycin dosing is a safer method than traditional trough-guided dosing.

The FDA has finalized its guidance on how to synchronize development of antimicrobials and antimicrobial susceptibility test devices.

An oral alternative for patients requiring broad-spectrum therapy in this era of resistance.

The treatment duration for uncomplicated gram-negative bloodstream infections (BSIs) has traditionally ranged from 7 to 14 days. However, recent retrospective studies and meta-analyses have observed no differences in clinical outcomes in patients treated with shorter courses compared with prolonged courses, especially with urinary sources of infection.

A phase 3 trial has been approved for SPR994, a candidate being developed as an oral carbapenem antibiotic for the treatment of cUTIs.

A next-generation phenotyping system is seeking to revolutionize antibiotic susceptibility testing in an effort to begin treating patients faster and to combat antibiotic resistance.

Health system continues to lead the way in stewardship; hopefully more will follow.

A large percentage of individuals with a documented allergy to penicillin can actually be treated safely with this class of antibiotics. It just requires careful evaluation and management on the part of health care providers.