In Vitro Activity of Cefiderocol against Multi-Drug Resistant Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Pathogens

BACKGROUND: Few options remain for treatment of infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR), carbapenemase-producing gram-negative pathogens. Cefiderocol (CFDC; Shionogi & Co. Ltd), is a novel parenteral siderophore cephalosporin that enters the bacterial cell through the iron–siderophore uptake system. Here we report on the in vitro activity of CFDC against a set of well-characterized MDR gram-negative isolates collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. METHODS: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values for CFDC in iron-depleted cation-adjusted Mueller Hinton broth were determined using reference broth microdilution. Study isolates (n = 315) included Enterobacteriaceae (59%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19%), Acinetobacter baumannii (17%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (4%), and Burkholderia cepacia complex (1%). Of these, 229 (73%) were carbapenemase-producers including Ambler Class A- (37%), Class B- (29%) and Class D- type (29%) enzymes. The remaining isolates included 51 β-lactam-resistant isolates that were non-carbapenemase-producers, and 35 β-lactam-susceptible isolates. Results were interpreted using suggested CFDC breakpoints of Sensitive ≤4 μg/mL and Resistant ≥16 μg/mL. RESULTS: The majority of the isolates (90.8%) were categorized as CFDC susceptible; the percentage of isolates with a CFDC MIC ≤4 μg/mL among Enterobacteriaceae, P. aeruginosa, and A. baumannii was 87.5%, 100%, and 89%, respectively. Percentage of isolates with a CFDC MIC ≤4 μg/mL that harbored a carbapenemase of the Class A-, Class B-, and Class D-type was 91.8%, 74.8%, 98.0%, respectively. By applying suggested breakpoints, 12 isolates were categorized as intermediate and 17 as resistant. The resistant isolates included 11 NDM-, 2 OXA-23- and 4 KPC-positive organisms. CONCLUSION: Cefiderocol showed potent activity against MDR gram-negative pathogens including Class A, B, and D carbapenemase-producing isolates. Of note, all P. aeruginosa, including Class B metallo-β-lactamase producers, were susceptible to CFDC. DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.