An international team of investigators has published Phase 3 clinical trial data supporting the use of aztreonam-avibactam as a therapeutic option for patients facing serious gram-negative bacterial infections where treatment options are limited. The antibiotic combination has already received approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in April, based on the results of two Phase 3 clinical trials. These trials evaluated the efficacy of aztreonam-avibactam in treating several types of multidrug-resistant infections.
Clinical Trial Findings
The Phase 3 clinical trial assessed the effectiveness of aztreonam-avibactam against a range of Gram-negative bacteria exhibiting resistance to multiple antibiotics. The study focused on patients with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), among other severe infections. The results indicated that aztreonam-avibactam was non-inferior to carbapenem-based regimens, which are often considered the last-line treatment for such infections.
Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance
The rise of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) poses a significant threat to global public health. Gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli, are increasingly resistant to commonly used antibiotics, leaving clinicians with few therapeutic options. Aztreonam-avibactam represents a potential new weapon in the fight against these infections, offering a novel mechanism of action that can overcome some resistance mechanisms.
Penicillin Allergy Considerations
A separate study conducted in long-term care facilities in Massachusetts highlights another facet of antimicrobial resistance. The research found that residents with a documented penicillin allergy were 95% less likely to receive beta-lactam antibiotics. This can lead to the use of broader-spectrum antibiotics, which, in turn, contributes to antimicrobial resistance and increases the risk of side effects. The study suggests that inaccurate penicillin allergy labels may be driving inappropriate antibiotic prescribing practices.
COVID-19 and Cardiac Risks
Beyond antimicrobial resistance, recent research has also explored the long-term effects of COVID-19. A study from the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, the University of California, Los Angeles, and Cleveland Clinic suggests that COVID-19 may increase the risk of major cardiac events, such as strokes and heart attacks. The findings indicated that individuals with A, B, and AB blood types who contracted a severe version of COVID-19 were more likely to experience future heart problems compared to people with an O blood type who had a severe version of the virus.
