LAUSR

We previously reported the potent in vivo activity of ceftazidime/avibactam human-simulated regimen (HSR) against MBL-EB despite the observed resistance in vitro and the lack of avibactam MBL-inhibitory activity (AAC 2014 Nov;58(11):7007-9). Similar to avibactam, relebactam (REL) is a diazabicyclooctane that inhibits serine β-lactamases belonging to Classes A - C but not MBLs. In the current study, we examined the in vivo activity of cefepime (FEP)/REL combination HSR against MBL-EB in a murine thigh infection model. Six clinical MBL-EB isolates expressing VIM, IMP or NDM and co-expressing at least one β-lactamase of Classes A - C (KPC, CTX-M, TEM, SHV, ACT, CMY) were utilized. MICs of FEP and FEP/REL combination (at fixed REL concentration of 4 mg/L) were determined using broth microdilution. FEP HSR (2 g q12h as 0.5 h infusion) alone and in combination with REL HSR (250 mg q6h as 0.5 h infusion) were established in the infection model. Thighs of neutropenic ICR mice were inoculated with bacterial suspensions of 107 CFU/ml. Two hours later, mice were administered the FEP HSR or the FEP/REL HSR. Efficacy was measured as the change in log10CFU/thigh at 24 h compared with 0 h controls. All isolates were FEP resistant (MIC ≥ 32 mg/L). Addition of REL had no impact on the MIC of the isolates. In in vivo studies, the average bacterial burden at 0 h was 5.84 ± 0.41 log10CFU/thigh. In accordance with the in vitro susceptibility, administration of FEP HSR was associated with net bacterial growth among all isolates ranging from 0.46 ± 0.60 to 2.97 ± 0.53 log10CFU/thigh. In contrast, FEP/REL combination HSR resulted in substantial bacterial reductions among all isolates ranging from -0.73 ± 0.13 to -1.72 ± 0.14 log10CFU/thigh, indicating that REL enhanced the FEP activity in vivo. Despite the powerful β-lactam hydrolytic capability of MBLs in vitro, FEP inactivation in the murine model was attributed predominantly to the expression of the serine β-lactamases. The in vitro/in vivo discordance in β-lactam/β-lactamase activity against MBL-EB reveals a potential flaw in the currently utilized in vitro susceptibility testing methodologies and highlights a challenge encountered during the development of new agents against these isolates. David P. Nicolau, PharmD, Cepheid (Other Financial or Material Support, Consultant, speaker bureau member or has received research support.)Merck & Co., Inc. (Consultant, Grant/Research Support, Speaker’s Bureau)Wockhardt (Grant/Research Support)