Antimicrobial Stewardship

The 2024-2029 5-year UK national action plan for antimicrobial resistance is the second to emerge from the 20-year strategy announced in 2019.

While carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales infections occur less frequently, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales infections are increasing.

A new series reviewing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) reduction strategies shows that available vaccines, water and sanitation, and infection control methods could greatly reduce the mortality associated with this major health crisis.

In the second installment of the discussion around the Equity in Antimicrobial Stewardship Efforts (EASE), the codevelopers of this novel framework discuss how to move forward with interventions and measuring success around them.

The new Equity in Antimicrobial Stewardship Efforts (EASE) is a comprehensive set of priorities designed to overcome inequities and address the challenges with prescribing practices within the minoritized populations.

New data from a World Health Organization (WHO) repository illustrates the treatment challenges during the acute phase of the pandemic.

Spare use of carbapenem-sparing regimens reflects practice lagging behind guidance, among the challenges in implementing antimicrobial stewardship.

The INSPIRE trials find prompts within computerized provider ordering improves antibiotic utilization for pneumonia and urinary tract infections.

This cephalosporin antibiotic was examined against colistin-susceptible gram-negative infections.

A novel approach using this emerging technology looks to interfere with antibiotic resistance expression and reduce this global health issue.

A study finds that despite the development of some new agents for highly-resistant pathogens, prescribers are reluctant to utilize these therapies.

PEN-FAST is a validated risk stratification tool that promotes efficient, safe, and effective de-labeling of penicillin allergies.

Pivmecillinam (Pivya) was given the nod from the federal agency, and is indicated for female adults with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by susceptible isolates of Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

With this approval, aztreonam-avibactam becomes the first β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor antibiotic combination approved in the European Union for treating multidrug-resistant infections, including metallo-β-lactamase-producing bacteria.

In these patient encounters, a deep cough as a symptom raised concerns around pneumonia and may have prompted prescription of antimicrobials, but did not show a resolution of symptoms sooner.

A large trial supports de-escalation from empiric, broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment for Enterobacterales bacteremia to a non-antipseudomonal agent.

As a potential alternative to antibiotic treatments, this investigational immunization offered protection for several years.

Here is a case study involving a patient with the virus and the clinical approach in thinking about appropriate treatment while keeping stewardship in mind.

Clinicians review a patient case including diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

In today’s world of sophisticated, complex tests, an evolving relationship between laboratory professionals and clinicians can aid in providing a quicker diagnosis and help to achieve better patient outcomes.

There is value in leveraging the contributions of nurses, laboratorians, and informaticists in antimicrobial stewardship.

A cautious approach for now is warranted as well as a need for a randomized clinical trial.

Investigators find that bacteremia rarely develops from asymptomatic bacteriuria, and that empiric antibiotic treatment should be reserved for those at risk.

Here is a review of therapies for treating this bacterium.

Low-frequency resistant cells in bacterial isolates are challenging to detect and may contribute to unexplained treatment failure.