In Vitro Activity of Ceftaroline and Comparators against Bacterial Isolates Collected Globally from Patients with Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: ATLAS Program 2019-2020

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the in vitro activity of ceftaroline and a panel of comparator agents against isolates causing skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) collected in Africa/Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America from 2019-2020. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined using European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing criteria. All the methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates were susceptible to ceftaroline. Across all regions, ceftaroline demonstrated potent activity against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA, susceptibility 89.5-93.7%) isolates. Susceptibility to vancomycin, daptomycin, linezolid, teicoplanin, trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, and tigecycline was ≥94.1% in MSSA and MRSA isolates. Against β-hemolytic streptococci isolates, ceftaroline demonstrated very potent activity (MIC₉₀ 0.008-0.03 mg/L) across all regions. All β-hemolytic streptococci isolates were susceptible to linezolid, penicillin, and vancomycin (MIC₉₀ 0.06-2 mg/L). Among the extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)-negative Enterobacterales tested (E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and K. oxytoca), susceptibility to ceftaroline was high (88.2-98.6%) in all regions. All ESBL-negative Enterobacterales were susceptible to aztreonam. Potent activity was observed for amikacin, cefepime, and meropenem (94.1-100%) against these isolates. Overall, ceftaroline showed potent in vitro activity against isolates of pathogens causing SSTIs. Continuous surveillance of global and regional susceptibility patterns is needed to guide appropriate treatment options against these pathogens.

Keywords: antimicrobial activity; antimicrobial resistance; ceftaroline; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; skin and soft tissue infections; surveillance.