Antimicrobial Stewardship

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.

In the latest issue, Editor-in-Chief Jason Gallagher, PharmD, FCCP, FIDP, FIDSA, BCPS, discusses the continuous antibiotic trade-off of targeted vs broad spectrum therapies and cheap vs expensive options as they relate to UTI treatment.

The OASIS platform will help outpatient facilities use prescribing data to improve patient care.

A team developed and validated a new analytic method to quantify omadacycline and its epimerization in stool to facilitate microbiome research.

Management of this condition has been associated with antibiotic misuse. In the latest Bench to Bedside column, clinicians offer insights on therapy indications and what the latest literature reports on the condition.

A new paper outlines how these variables can be connected to create situations where patients get less-than-optimal outcomes.

Cefepime-enmetazobactam (Exblifep, Orchid Pharma) was given the federal nod for the indication of treating complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) in adults.

The federal agency did not request further trials for the investigational therapy, cefepime-taniborbactam, but wanted more information about its chemistry, manufacturing, and controls.