Sulbactam-durlobactam is a pathogen-targeted β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination that has been approved by the US FDA for the treatment of hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia caused by susceptible isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex (ABC) in patients 18 years of age and older. Sulbactam is a penicillin derivative with antibacterial activity against Acinetobacter but is prone to hydrolysis by β-lactamases encoded by contemporary isolates. Durlobactam is a diazabicyclooctane β-lactamase inhibitor with activity against Ambler classes A, C and D serine β-lactamases that restores sulbactam activity both in vitro and in vivo against multidrug-resistant ABC. Sulbactam-durlobactam is a promising alternative therapy for the treatment of serious Acinetobacter infections, which can have high rates of mortality.
Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii; carbapenem resistance; pneumonia; sulbactam–durlobactam; β-lactamase inhibitor.
Sulbactam–durlobactam: a drug for treating lung infections Acinetobacter is a type of bacteria. One type, called CRAB, causes serious infections and can be fatal. CRAB is very hard to treat because most drugs no longer work. Sulbactam–durlobactam (SUL-DUR) is a drug that can kill CRAB. The US FDA approved SUL-DUR in May of 2023 for treating lung infections (pneumonia) caused by CRAB. This article explains how SUL-DUR works. Use of SUL-DUR and other drugs to treat these types of infections are discussed. In conclusion, SUL-DUR is a promising therapy for serious infections caused by CRAB.