Andrew Denisuik

Molecular epidemiology of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-, AmpC β-lactamase- and carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from Canadian hospitals over a 5 year period: CANWARD 2007–11

OBJECTIVES To assess the proportion of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from Canadian hospitals that produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC β-lactamases and carbapenemases, as well as to describe the patterns of antibiotic resistance and molecular characteristics of these organisms. METHODS Some 5451 E. coli and 1659 K. pneumoniae were collected from 2007 to 2011 inclusive as part of the ongoing CANWARD national surveillance study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed to detect putative ESBL, AmpC and carbapenemase producers, which were then further characterized by PCR and sequencing to detect resistance genes. In addition, isolates were characterized by PFGE and an allele-specific PCR to detect isolates of sequence type (ST) 131. RESULTS The proportion of ESBL-producing E. coli (2007, 3.4%; 2011, 7.1%), AmpC-producing E. coli (2007, 0.7%; 2011, 2.9%) and ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae (2007, 1.5%; 2011, 4.0%) among the isolates collected increased during the study period. The majority of ESBL-producing E. coli (>95%), AmpC-producing E. coli (>97%) and ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae (>89%) remained susceptible to colistin, amikacin, ertapenem and meropenem. Isolates were generally unrelated by PFGE (<80% similarity); however, ST131 was identified among 55.8% and 28.7% (P < 0.001) of ESBL- and AmpC-producing E. coli, respectively. CTX-M-15 was the dominant genotype in both ESBL-producing E. coli (66.2%) and ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae (50.0%), while the dominant genotype in AmpC-producing E. coli was CMY-2 (55.7%). Carbapenemase production was identified in 0.04% (n = 2) of E. coli and 0.06% (n = 1) of K. pneumoniae, all of which produced KPC-3. CONCLUSIONS The proportion of ESBL- and AmpC-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae increased significantly during the study period, while the number of carbapenemase producers remained low (<1%). Compared with AmpC-producing E. coli, ESBL-producing E. coli were significantly associated with multidrug resistance and the ST131 clone.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of 22746 pathogens from Canadian hospitals: results of the CANWARD 2007–11 study

OBJECTIVES The purpose of the CANWARD study was to assess the antimicrobial activity of a variety of available agents against 22,746 pathogens isolated from patients in Canadian hospitals between 2007 and 2011. METHODS Between 2007 and 2011, 27,123 pathogens were collected from tertiary-care centres from across Canada; 22,746 underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing using CLSI broth microdilution methods. Patient demographic data were also collected. RESULTS Of the isolates collected, 45.2%, 29.6%, 14.8% and 10.4% were from blood, respiratory, urine and wound specimens, respectively. Patient demographics were as follows: 54.4%/45.6% male/female, 12.8% ≤ 17 years old, 45.1% 18-64 years old and 42.1% ≥65 years old. Isolates were obtained from patients in medical and surgical wards (37.8%), emergency rooms (25.7%), clinics (18.0%) and intensive care units (18.5%). The three most common pathogens were Escherichia coli (20.1%), Staphylococcus aureus [methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA)] (20.0%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.0%), which together accounted for nearly half of the isolates obtained. Susceptibility rates (SRs) for E. coli were 100% meropenem, 99.9% tigecycline, 99.7% ertapenem, 97.7% piperacillin/tazobactam, 93.7% ceftriaxone, 90.5% gentamicin, 77.9% ciprofloxacin and 73.4% trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Twenty-three percent of the S. aureus were MRSA. SRs for MRSA were 100% daptomycin, 100% linezolid, 100% telavancin, 99.9% vancomycin, 99.8% tigecycline, 92.2% trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and 48.2% clindamycin. SRs for P. aeruginosa were 90.1% amikacin, 93.1% colistin, 84.0% piperacillin/tazobactam, 83.5% ceftazidime, 82.6% meropenem, 72.0% gentamicin and 71.9% ciprofloxacin. CONCLUSIONS The CANWARD surveillance study has provided important data on the antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens commonly causing infections in Canadian hospitals.

In Vitro Activity of Plazomicin against 5,015 Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Clinical Isolates Obtained from Patients in Canadian Hospitals as Part of the CANWARD Study, 2011-2012

ABSTRACT Plazomicin is a next-generation aminoglycoside that is not affected by most clinically relevant aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes. The in vitro activities of plazomicin and comparator antimicrobials were evaluated against a collection of 5,015 bacterial isolates obtained from patients in Canadian hospitals between January 2011 and October 2012. Susceptibility testing was performed using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution method, with MICs interpreted according to CLSI breakpoints, when available. Plazomicin demonstrated potent in vitro activity against members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, with all species except Proteus mirabilis having an MIC90 of ≤1 μg/ml. Plazomicin was active against aminoglycoside-nonsusceptible Escherichia coli, with MIC50 and MIC90 values identical to those for aminoglycoside-susceptible isolates. Furthermore, plazomicin demonstrated equivalent activities versus extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and non-ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, with 90% of the isolates inhibited by an MIC of ≤1 μg/ml. The MIC50 and MIC90 values for plazomicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 4 μg/ml and 16 μg/ml, respectively, compared with 4 μg/ml and 8 μg/ml, respectively, for amikacin. Plazomicin had an MIC50 of 8 μg/ml and an MIC90 of 32 μg/ml versus 64 multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates. Plazomicin was active against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, with both having MIC50 and MIC90 values of 0.5 μg/ml and 1 μg/ml, respectively. In summary, plazomicin demonstrated potent in vitro activity against a diverse collection of Gram-negative bacilli and Gram-positive cocci obtained over a large geographic area. These data support further evaluation of plazomicin in the clinical setting.

Trends in antibiotic resistance over time among pathogens from Canadian hospitals: results of the CANWARD study 2007–11

OBJECTIVES Antimicrobial resistance patterns change over time and longitudinal surveillance studies provide insight into these trends. We sought to describe the important trends in antimicrobial resistance in key pathogens across Canada to provide useful information to clinicians, policy makers and industry, to assist in optimizing antimicrobial therapy, formulary choices and drug development. METHODS We analysed longitudinal data from the CANWARD study using a multivariate regression model to control for possible effects of patient demographics on resistance, in order to assess the impact of time on antimicrobial resistance independent of other measured variables. RESULTS We identified several key trends in common pathogens. In particular, we observed a statistically significant increase in the proportion of Escherichia coli isolates that were resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, an increase in the proportion of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates that were resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, a reduction in the proportion of Staphylococcus aureus that were methicillin, clindamycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole resistant, and a reduction in the proportion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were fluoroquinolone and gentamicin resistant. CONCLUSIONS Although some of these trends, such as the dramatic increase in fluoroquinolone and cephalosporin resistance in E. coli, can be attributed to the emergence and global spread of resistant clones (e.g. ST131 E. coli), others remain unexplained. However, recognizing these trends remains important to guide changes in empirical antimicrobial therapy and drug development.

In Vitro Activity of Fosfomycin against Escherichia coli Isolated from Patients with Urinary Tract Infections in Canada as Part of the CANWARD Surveillance Study

ABSTRACT We tested 868 urinary isolates of Escherichia coli collected from 2010 to 2013 as part of the Canadian national surveillance study CANWARD against fosfomycin by using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) agar dilution method with MIC interpretation in accordance with the CLSI M100-S23 (2013) criteria. The concentrations of fosfomycin inhibiting 50 and 90% of the isolates were ≤1 and 4 μg/ml; 99.4% of the isolates were susceptible to fosfomycin.

Osteomyelitis Due to Multiple Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria: The First Case Report of a GES-13-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolate in Canada

A case of osteomyelitis in an infant following a burn injury sustained in Pakistan caused by a GES-13-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (the first reported in Canada) and an OXA-48 producing Klebsiella pneumoniae is described. The present case serves to highlight the importance of international travel as a risk factor for infection with carbapenemase-producing bacteria and the challenges in the laboratory detection of these organisms.

Pharmacodynamic activity of ertapenem versus genotypically characterized extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-, KPC- or NDM-producing Escherichia coli with reduced susceptibility or resistance to ertapenem using an in vitro model

OBJECTIVES We assessed the pharmacodynamic activity of ertapenem against Escherichia coli with reduced susceptibility (MIC 0.12-0.5 mg/L), intermediate resistance (MIC 1.0 mg/L) or resistance (MIC ≥ 2 mg/L) to ertapenem using an in vitro model. METHODS Fifteen extended-spectrum β-lactamase- or carbapenemase-producing E. coli were studied. The in vitro pharmacodynamic model was inoculated with ∼1 × 10(6) cfu/mL and ertapenem was dosed once daily at 0 and 24 h to simulate free (ƒ) Cmax and t½ obtained after either 1 g or 2 g intravenous once-daily doses in healthy volunteers (1 g: ƒCmax 15 mg/L, t½ 4 h). Sampling was performed over 48 h to assess viable growth and resistance selection. RESULTS An ertapenem T> MIC ≥ 75.4% (ertapenem MICs ≤ 0.5 mg/L) resulted in bactericidal (≥ 3 log10 killing) activity against all strains. An ertapenem T>MIC of 61% was bactericidal at 6 and 12 h but regrowth at 24 and 48 h occurred in some strains. An ertapenem T>MIC of 13%-43% was bactericidal at 6 h but regrowth (with MIC increases) occurred. No inhibition of an NDM strain with an ertapenem T>MIC of 0% (ertapenem MIC 256 mg/L) occurred at any timepoint. CONCLUSIONS Once-daily dosing with 1 g of ertapenem was bactericidal against ESBL-producing E. coli with ertapenem MICs ≤ 0.5 mg/L and was bactericidal against strains with MICs of 1.0 mg/L, with regrowth in some strains. Ertapenem MICs of 2-8 mg/L resulted in early bactericidal activity followed by regrowth. Once-daily dosing with 2 g of ertapenem was bactericidal against strains with an MIC of 1.0 mg/L, but regrowth occurred in some strains with an ertapenem MIC of 2 mg/L.

In Vitro Activity of Ceftazidime-Avibactam against 338 Molecularly Characterized Gentamicin-Nonsusceptible Gram-Negative Clinical Isolates Obtained from Patients in Canadian Hospitals

ABSTRACT The mechanism of aminoglycoside resistance among 338 gentamicin-nonsusceptible Gram-negative bacteria (207 Enterobacteriaceae and 131 Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was assessed, and the in vitro activity of ceftazidime-avibactam against these isolates was determined. Aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes were detected in 91.8% of Enterobacteriaceae and 13.7% of P. aeruginosa isolates. A single strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae harbored a 16S rRNA methylase (ArmA). The ceftazidime-avibactam MIC90 values were 0.5 μg/ml (MIC, ≤8 μg/ml for 100% of isolates) and 16 μg/ml (MIC, ≤8 μg/ml for 87.8% of isolates) against gentamicin-nonsusceptible Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa isolates, respectively.

Pharmacodynamic activity of fosfomycin simulating urinary concentrations achieved after a single 3-g oral dose versus Escherichia coli using an in vitro model

We assessed the activity of fosfomycin simulating urinary concentrations achieved after a single 3-g oral dose against Escherichia coli using an in vitro pharmacodynamic model. Eleven urinary isolates of E. coli were studied. Isolates were ESBL-producing or carbapenemase-producing. The in vitro pharmacodynamic model was inoculated with an inoculum of (~1×106cfu/mL). Fosfomycin was administered to simulate maximum free (ƒ) urine (U) concentrations and a t1/2 obtained after a standard single 3-g oral dose in healthy volunteers (ƒUmax, 4000mg/L; t1/2, 6h). Sampling was performed over 48h to assess the rate and extent of bacterial reduction as well as resistance selection. Complete bacterial eradication from the model was defined by no regrowth over the 48h study period. Fosfomycin MICs ranged from 1 to 4μg/mL for ESBL producers, while all 3 carbapenemase-producing E. coli demonstrated a fosfomycin MIC of 2μg/mL. Fosfomycin ƒT>MIC of 100% (ƒAUC0-24/MIC, ≥~7250) resulted in bacterial killing (reductions in log10 CFU assessed relative to the starting inoculum at 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, and 48h of ≥3.0) at each time-point versus all isolates of ESBL-producing and carbapenemase-producing E. coli. We conclude that fosfomycin urinary concentrations obtained after a single 3-g oral dose were bactericidal as early as 1h after dosing with complete bacterial eradication at all time-points over the 48h testing period against urinary isolates of E. coli (including MDR ESBL- and/or carbapenemase-producing strains). Our data help to explain the high (>90%) microbiological and clinical cure rates achieved with fosfomycin when used as a single 3-g oral dose to treat patients with acute uncomplicated cystitis.

Correction to: Imipenem–Relebactam and Meropenem–Vaborbactam: Two Novel Carbapenem-β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combinations

Section heading 5.2, which currently reads 5.2 Meropenem–Relebactam.