Clinical management of cUTI, cIAI, and HABP/VABP attributable to carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative infections in Spain

Introduction. Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative (CRGN) infections are a major public health problem in Spain, often implicated in complicated, healthcare-associated infections that require the use of potentially toxic antibacterial agents of last resort. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical management of complicated infections caused by CRGN bacteria in Spanish hospitals. Methods. The study included: 1) a survey assessing the GN infection and antibacterial susceptibility profile in five participating Spanish hospitals and 2) a non-interventional, retrospective single cohort chart review of 100 patients with complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI), complicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAI), or hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia/ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/ VABP) attributable to CRGN pathogens. Results. In the participating hospitals CRGN prevalence was 9.3% amongst complicated infections. In the retrospective cohort, 92% of infections were healthcare-associated, and Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most common pathogens. OXA was the most frequently detected carbapenemase type (71.4%). We found that carbapenems were frequently used to treat cUTI, cIAI, HABP/VABP caused by CRGN pathogens. Carbapenem use, particularly in combination with other agents, persisted after confirmation of carbapenem resistance. Clinical cure was 66.0%, mortality during hospitalization 35.0%, mortality at the time of chart review 62.0%, and 6-months-post-discharge readmission 47.7%. Conclusion. Our results reflect the high burden and unmet needs associated with the management of complicated infections attributable to CRGN pathogens in Spain and high-light the urgent need for enhanced clinical management of these difficult-to-treat infections.