New Guidance for Treating Antimicrobial-Resistant Infections Released
Recommendations help clinicians combat drug-resistant pathogens
New guidance from the Infectious Diseases Society of America for treating three of the most common drug-resistant pathogens was published today on the IDSA website. Developed by a panel of clinical and scientific experts, the guidance focuses on:
- AmpC b-lactamase producing Enterobacterales (AmpC-E)
- Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB)
- Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
The new guidance is the second in a broader series aimed at helping clinicians combat the growing crisis of antimicrobial resistance.
“Developing comprehensive clinical guidance is a lengthy process that aims to keep pace with constantly evolving scientific research,” said Cornelius J. Clancy, MD, FIDSA, professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and senior author of the new guidance. “By focusing on a small handful of pathogens, this guidance provides clinicians with up-to-date information needed to address the most urgent threats.”
Published data on optimal treatment of AmpC-E, CRAB and S. maltophilia infections are limited. As such, guidance in this document is provided as “suggested approaches” based on clinical experience, expert opinion and a review of the available literature. Because the AMR field is dynamic, consultation with an infectious diseases expert or the local antibiotic stewardship team is recommended for the treatment of AMR infections.
“Each of the pathogens included in the guidance causes a wide range of infections that are encountered in U.S. hospitals of all sizes, that are associated with significant morbidity and mortality,” said Pranita D. Tamma, MD, MHS, associate professor of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the lead author of the guidance. “By compiling the best science available, this guidance assists clinicians with caring for patients with challenging infections.”
Misuse and overuse of antibiotics accelerates the development of AMR, with devastating consequences. AMR pathogens caused more than 2.8 million infections and more than 35,000 deaths annually in the United States from 2012 through 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Updates to this guidance will occur regularly and will incorporate new evidence and feedback from clinicians and practitioners.
The panel will continue to expand its recommendations to include other problematic gram-negative pathogens in future iterations.
The guidance panel was co-chaired by Drs. Tamma and Clancy. Other members of the panel include Samuel L. Aitken, PharmD, MPH; Robert A. Bonomo, MD, FIDSA; David van Duin, MD, PhD, FIDSA; and Amy J. Mathers, MD, FIDSA.
About IDSA
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is a community of over 12,000 physicians, scientists, and public health experts who specialize in infectious diseases. Its purpose is to improve the health of individuals, communities, and society by promoting excellence in patient care, education, research, public health, and prevention relating to infectious diseases. Learn more at https://www.idsociety.org/.