Comparative Activity of Carbapenem Testing (COMPACT) study in Germany.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Carbapenem antibiotics are crucial for treating severe Gram-negative bacterial infections.
• Rising antimicrobial resistance necessitates ongoing surveillance of pathogen susceptibility.
• Understanding regional resistance patterns is vital for effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the in vitro activity of doripenem, imipenem, and meropenem against contemporary Gram-negative pathogens.
• To determine the susceptibility rates of hospital isolates from various infection types in Germany.
• To compare the efficacy of different carbapenems against key Gram-negative bacteria.

Main Methods:

• Collection of Gram-negative isolates (Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp.) from seven German centers between May and October 2008.
• Isolates were obtained from patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections, bloodstream infections, or nosocomial pneumonia.
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using Etest, with central laboratory confirmation and quality control.

Main Results:

• Doripenem exhibited potent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC(90) = 4 mg/L) and Enterobacteriaceae (MIC(90) = 0.06 mg/L).
• Susceptibility rates for P. aeruginosa were 81.1% for doripenem, 75.6% for imipenem, and 79.3% for meropenem.
• Doripenem generally showed similar or superior activity compared to meropenem and imipenem against the tested Gram-negative pathogens.

Conclusions:

• Doripenem demonstrates significant in vitro activity against common Gram-negative pathogens in German hospitals.
• The findings support the role of doripenem in treating serious infections caused by these bacteria.
• Continued surveillance is essential to monitor evolving resistance patterns to carbapenems.