Global trends in nonsusceptibility rates of Escherichia coli isolates to meropenem and ceftazidime/avibactam: Data from the Antimicrobial Testing Leadership and Surveillance (ATLAS) programme, 2014-21

Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2024 Apr;63(4):107103. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107103. Epub 2024 Feb 6.

Abstract

Objective: To understand the global changes in the nonsusceptibility rates of Escherichia coli to meropenem and ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA), we conducted a study using the Antimicrobial Testing Leadership and Surveillance database.

Methods: A total of 49 394 E. coli isolates were collected during the 8-year study period.

Result: The countries with the highest nonsusceptible rates for meropenem were India (16.6%), followed by Pakistan (6.7%), Ukraine (5.4%), Qatar (5.3%), and Guatemala (3.2%). For CZA, the nonsusceptible rate was highest in India (15.6%), followed by Qatar (4.0%), Guatemala (3.9%), China (2.6%), and Thailand (2.5%). During the study period, the nonsusceptible rates of meropenem and CZA in E. coli increased in Asia, Latin America, and Africa/Middle East. Isolates from the medical ICU (odds ratio [OR], 4.62) and surgical ICU (OR, 3.98) were associated with a higher risk of CZA nonsusceptible rates. Compared to intestinal specimens, respiratory and genitourinary specimens had the highest OR (2.32 and 2.17) associated with CZA resistance. Further analysis of carbapenemase distribution showed an increase in the percentage of blaNDM-positive isolates and a decrease in blaKPC-positive isolates worldwide, especially in Latin America. Additionally, we observed a gradual decline in the prevalence of blaOXA-positive E. coli without concomitant carriage of metallo-β-lactamase genes in the worldwide surveillance.

Conclusions: Further surveillance is necessary to determine whether blaNDM -positive E. coli (i.e., CZA-resistant isolates) is increasing and leading to more superbugs spreading worldwide.

Keywords: ATLAS; Ceftazidime-avibactam; Escherichia coli; Meropenem resistance; New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (blaNDM).

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Infective Agents*
  • Azabicyclo Compounds / pharmacology
  • Ceftazidime* / pharmacology
  • Drug Combinations
  • Enterobacteriaceae
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Leadership
  • Meropenem / pharmacology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Pakistan
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • beta-Lactamases / genetics

Substances

  • avibactam, ceftazidime drug combination
  • Ceftazidime
  • Meropenem
  • avibactam
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Azabicyclo Compounds
  • Drug Combinations
  • beta-Lactamases
  • Anti-Infective Agents