Effective cefiderocol CSF penetration for treating Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ventriculitis

Clara Ribera1, Ariadna Padullés1,2,3, Fe Tubau4,5

  • 1Pharmacy Department, Bellvitge University Hospital-IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.

Abstract

Insights

Cefiderocol effectively treated Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ventriculitis, achieving therapeutic drug concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This suggests cefiderocol monotherapy may be a viable option for central nervous system infections caused by drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Bacterial ventriculitis, often caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens like Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, is a severe infection linked to CSF shunts.
  • Cefiderocol, an intravenous siderophore cephalosporin, is approved for resistant Gram-negative infections but has limited clinical data in central nervous system (CNS) infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a case of S. maltophilia ventriculitis successfully treated with cefiderocol monotherapy.
  • To evaluate cefiderocol's penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and its efficacy in treating CNS infections.

Main Methods:

  • A patient with S. maltophilia ventriculitis received cefiderocol monotherapy at a standard dose (2g IV every 8h).
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma cefiderocol concentrations were measured at steady-state.
  • Susceptibility testing for S. maltophilia was performed using Etest and disc diffusion.

Main Results:

  • Therapeutic drug monitoring confirmed sustained cefiderocol concentrations in CSF, exceeding the isolate's minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by 116.0- to 131.8-fold.
  • Plasma-to-CSF penetration ratios ranged from 16.6% to 25.7%.
  • The patient achieved clinical cure after 26 days of therapy, with no adverse events or relapse at one-year follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Standard-dose cefiderocol (2g IV every 8h) achieves sustained therapeutic concentrations in the CSF.
  • Cefiderocol monotherapy presents a potential treatment option for CNS infections caused by MDR Gram-negative bacteria, such as S. maltophilia, with low MICs.