Optimization of antibiotics for cystic fibrosis pulmonary exacerbations due to highly resistant nonlactose fermenting Gram negative bacilli: Meropenem-vaborbactam and cefiderocol

Abstract

We are writing this letter to provide an update of published information on antibiotics for cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary exacerbations to the State of the Art articles by Zobell et al. Information on meropenem-vaborbactam and cefiderocol were not available when the original articles were published. These new antibiotics, approved in 2017 and 2019, possess antipseudomonal properties like the other carbapenems and cephalosporins in the original articles however, existing literature refers to their use for other less common bacteria. As patients with CF age, the microorganisms in their bacterial cultures change and some can colonize multiple or uncommon bacterial species including, Burkholderia, Achromobacter, and Stenotrophomonas spp. In 2019, these nonlactose fermenting bacterial species made up for approximately 15% of respiratory microorganisms cultured in pediatric patients. Though infrequent, compared to Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, these bacteria are opportunistic pathogens and patients at the highest risk for these infections include those with CF. Like other Gram negative bacteria, Burkholderia, Achromobacter, and Stenotrophomonas spp., are frequently drug resistant and can make treatment extremely challenging, thus it is crucial that data for treatment of these less common pathogens be evaluated.

Keywords: Burkholderia; antibiotic therapy; cystic fibrosis; pharmacology.