Ceftazidime-Avibactam Use for Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase-Producing K. pneumoniae Infections: A Retrospective Observational Multicenter Study

Background. A growing body of observational evidence supports the value of ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) in managing infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed observational data on use and outcomes of CAZ-AVI therapy for infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) strains. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify variables independently associated with 30-day mortality. Results were adjusted for propensity score for receipt of CAZ-AVI combination regimens versus CAZ-AVI monotherapy. Results. The cohort comprised 577 adults with bloodstream infections (n = 391) or nonbacteremic infections involving mainly the urinary tract, lower respiratory tract, and intra-abdominal structures. All received treatment with CAZ-AVI alone (n = 165) or with >= 1 other active antimicrobials (n = 412). The all-cause mortality rate 30 days after infection onset was 25% (146/577). There was no significant difference in mortality between patients managed with CAZ-AVI alone and those treated with combination regimens (26.1% vs 25.0%, P = .79). In multivariate analysis, mortality was positively associated with presence at infection onset of septic shock (P = .002), neutropenia (P < .001), or an INCREMENT score >= 8 (P = .01); with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) (P = .04); and with CAZ-AVI dose adjustment for renal function (P = .01). Mortality was negatively associated with CAZ-AVI administration by prolonged infusion (P = .006). All associations remained significant after propensity score adjustment. Conclusions. CAZ-AVI is an important option for treating serious KPC-Kp infections, even when used alone. Further study is needed to explore the drug's seemingly more limited efficacy in LRTIs and potential survival benefits of prolonging CAZ-AVI infusions to >= 3 hours.

Automated summary

The study found that there was no significant difference in 30-day mortality rates between patients treated with ceftazidime-avibactam alone and those treated with combination regimens for managing infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Factors such as septic shock and neutropenia at infection onset were positively associated with mortality, while prolonged infusion of CAZ-AVI was negatively associated with mortality. Further research is needed to explore the potential survival benefits of prolonging CAZ-AVI infusions in certain types of infections.