Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Antimicrobial Synergy Testing by the Inkjet Printer-assisted Automated Checkerboard Array and the Manual Time-kill Method
Published on: April 18, 2019
Imipenem/Relebactam Plus Aztreonam: First Reported Use in MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae Sternal Infection Complicated by
Luca Pipitò1,2,3, Raffaella Rubino2,3, Rita Immordino4
1Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties "G D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy.
Background:
Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) poses a significant therapeutic challenge, particularly when multiple resistance mechanisms, such as metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) and Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), coexist.
Case Description:
We describe a case of a 51-year-old male with a post-sternotomy surgical site infection and concurrent bacteremia caused by a CRKP. Sternal swab and mediastinal liquid culture results highlighted CRKP harboring blaNDM and blaKPC genes, while the blood isolate showed blaCTX and blaKPC, indicating phenotypic resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam. All the strains exhibited phenotypic susceptibility to meropenem-vaborbactam (MEV), despite having a high minimum inhibitory concentration. Following clinical failure of MEV-based therapy, combination treatment with aztreonam (ATM) and imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam (IMI/REL), plus gentamicin, was initiated. Therapy was well tolerated and resulted in microbiological eradication and full clinical recovery. The patient completed 49 days of ATM and IMI/REL without relapse over a 3-month follow-up period. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported case of IMI/REL being used in combination with ATM.
Insights
A challenging carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infection was treated with a novel combination of aztreonam and imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam. This effective CRKP treatment led to full clinical recovery and microbiological eradication.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) presents a significant global health threat.
- Coexistence of multiple resistance mechanisms, like metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) and KPC, complicates treatment strategies.
- Effective therapeutic options for CRKP infections, especially those with dual resistance, are urgently needed.
More Related Videos
10:00Targeting Biofilm Associated Staphylococcus aureus Using Resazurin Based Drug-susceptibility Assay
Published on: May 5, 2016
09:17A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii
Published on: January 2, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism
Such synergistic combinations...
Endocarditis III: Medical Management
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management