In Vitro Activity of Cefiderocol against Clinical Gram-Negative Isolates Originating from Germany in 2016/17

Esther Wohlfarth1, Michael Kresken1, Fabian Deuchert1

  • 1Antiinfectives Intelligence GmbH, c/o Rechtsrheinisches Technologie- und Gründerzentrum, Gottfried-Hagen-Straße 60-62, 51105 Cologne, Germany.

Insights

The novel siderophore cephalosporin cefiderocol shows potent in vitro activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and non-fermenters. This study investigated cefiderocol

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance Research
  • Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Background:

  • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health challenge, particularly concerning carbapenem- or third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria like *Acinetobacter baumannii*, *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, and Enterobacterales.
  • Novel antimicrobial agents are urgently needed to combat the rising threat of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens.
  • Cefiderocol (CID), a siderophore cephalosporin, has emerged as a potential therapeutic option against difficult-to-treat Gram-negative infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of cefiderocol (CID) against a collection of clinically relevant Enterobacterales and non-fermenting bacteria.
  • To compare the efficacy of CID with four β-lactam-β-lactamase-inhibitor combinations.
  • To explore the genetic basis of CID resistance in selected bacterial isolates.

Main Methods:

  • A total of 301 clinical isolates were tested, comprising randomly selected strains (set I, n=195) and challenge strains (set II, n=106) enriched for carbapenemase producers and colistin-resistant isolates.
  • Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) for CID and comparator agents were determined using standard microbiological methods.
  • Whole-genome sequencing was performed on CID-resistant isolates to identify relevant β-lactamase genes.

Main Results:

  • Cefiderocol (CID) demonstrated potent in vitro activity, with MIC50/90 values of 0.12/0.5 mg/L (set I) and 0.5/1 mg/L (set II).
  • CID exhibited superior activity compared to comparator agents against *Acinetobacter baumannii*, *Stenotrophomonas maltophilia*, and carbapenem-resistant *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* isolates.
  • Eight CID-resistant isolates were identified, including *A. baumannii*, *E. cloacae* complex, and *P. aeruginosa*. Sequencing revealed various acquired and naturally occurring β-lactamase genes, such as *bla*NDM-1, *bla*SHV-12, *bla*OXA-396, *bla*ACT-type, and *bla*CMH-3.

Conclusions:

  • Cefiderocol (CID) displays significant in vitro potency against a broad spectrum of multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales and non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria.
  • CID's activity profile suggests its potential utility in treating infections caused by challenging MDR pathogens.
  • Understanding the genetic mechanisms of CID resistance is crucial for guiding its clinical application and monitoring resistance development.