Insights and Opinions of Critical Care Healthcare Professionals in the Management of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae Cases and Antibiotic-Resistant Infections in the Intensive Care Unit Setting: A Survey-Based Approach

Abstract

Introduction: A survey-based approach to managing antibiotic-resistant infections in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting, with a focus on carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) cases, was conducted. Among CRE, New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1 (NDM-1) is a carbapenemase that is resistant to β-lactam antibiotics and has a broader spectrum of antimicrobial resistance than other carbapenemase types. The article explains that healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and that carbapenem in combination with other antibiotics are the most potent class of antimicrobial agents effective in treating life-threatening bacterial infections, including those caused by resistant strains.

Aim: The survey aimed to gather critical care healthcare professionals (HCPs') opinions on their current practices in managing infections acquired in the hospital and ICU settings, with a focus on CRE cases, specifically NDM-1 and other antibiotic-resistant infections.

Methods: Responses from critical care healthcare professionals, including online surveys and in-person interviews, to gain insights into the management of infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. The findings related to the insights on the prevalence of bacterial flora, clinical experiences on efficacy and safety of meropenem sulbactam ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (MSE) in CRE cases, and various combination therapies of antibiotics used to treat antibiotic-resistant infections in ICU setting were evaluated.

Results: Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria were the most common bacteria in cultures, followed by Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii. NDM-1 was the type of carbapenemase found in around 50% of CRE patients. MSE is among the most preferred antibiotics besides colistin, polymyxin B, and ceftazidime avibactum for CRE cases and specifically for NDM-1 cases due to its high rate of efficacy and safety.

Conclusion: The article concludes with a discussion on the antibiotics used in response to CRE cases, reporting that critical care HCP considers MSE with high efficacy and safe antibiotic combination and was used as both monotherapy and in combination with other antibiotics. The survey highlights the need for exploring and better understanding the role of MSE in the management of CRE infections, especially in NDM-1.