De-escalation of Empiric Antibiotics Following Negative Cultures in Hospitalized Patients With Pneumonia: Rates and Outcomes

Antibiotic De-escalation Patterns and Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients with Suspected Pneumonia as Informed by Bronchoalveolar Lavage Results

Background

Antibiotic stewardship in critically ill pneumonia patients is crucial yet challenging, partly due to the limited diagnostic yield of noninvasive infectious tests. In this study, we report an antibiotic prescription pattern informed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) results, where clinicians de-escalate antibiotics based on the combination of quantitative cultures and multiplex PCR rapid diagnostic tests.

Methods

We analyzed data from SCRIPT, a single-center prospective cohort study of mechanically ventilated patients who underwent a BAL for suspected pneumonia. We used the novel Narrow Antibiotic Therapy (NAT) score to quantify day-by-day antibiotic prescription pattern for each suspected pneumonia episode etiology (bacterial, viral, mixed bacterial/viral, microbiology-negative, and non-pneumonia control). We also analyzed and compared clinical outcomes for each pneumonia etiology, including unfavorable outcomes (a composite of in-hospital mortality, discharge to hospice, or requiring lung transplantation during hospitalization), duration of ICU stay, and duration of intubation. Clinical outcomes were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test.

Results

We included 686 patients with 927 pneumonia episodes. NAT score analysis indicated that an antibiotic de-escalation pattern was evident in all pneumonia etiologies except resistant bacterial pneumonia. Microbiology-negative pneumonia was treated similarly to susceptible bacterial pneumonia in terms of antibiotic spectrum. Over a quarter of the time in viral pneumonia episodes, antibiotics were completely discontinued. Unfavorable outcomes were comparable across all pneumonia etiologies. Patients with viral and mixed bacterial/viral pneumonia had longer durations of ICU stay and intubation.

Conclusions

BAL quantitative cultures and multiplex PCR rapid diagnostic tests resulted in prompt antibiotic de-escalation in critically ill pneumonia patients. There was no evidence of increased incidence of unfavorable outcomes.

Stewardship Prompts to Improve Antibiotic Selection for Pneumonia: The INSPIRE Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Pneumonia is the most common infection requiring hospitalization and is a major reason for overuse of extended-spectrum antibiotics. Despite low risk of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infection, clinical uncertainty often drives initial antibiotic selection. Strategies to limit empiric antibiotic overuse for patients with pneumonia are needed.

Objective

To evaluate whether computerized provider order entry (CPOE) prompts providing patient- and pathogen-specific MDRO infection risk estimates could reduce empiric extended-spectrum antibiotics for non-critically ill patients admitted with pneumonia.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Cluster-randomized trial in 59 US community hospitals comparing the effect of a CPOE stewardship bundle (education, feedback, and real-time MDRO risk-based CPOE prompts; n = 29 hospitals) vs routine stewardship (n = 30 hospitals) on antibiotic selection during the first 3 hospital days (empiric period) in non-critically ill adults (≥18 years) hospitalized with pneumonia. There was an 18-month baseline period from April 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018, and a 15-month intervention period from April 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020.

Intervention

CPOE prompts recommending standard-spectrum antibiotics in patients ordered to receive extended-spectrum antibiotics during the empiric period who have low estimated absolute risk (<10%) of MDRO pneumonia, coupled with feedback and education.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was empiric (first 3 days of hospitalization) extended-spectrum antibiotic days of therapy. Secondary outcomes included empiric vancomycin and antipseudomonal days of therapy and safety outcomes included days to intensive care unit (ICU) transfer and hospital length of stay. Outcomes compared differences between baseline and intervention periods across strategies.

Results

Among 59 hospitals with 96 451 (51 671 in the baseline period and 44 780 in the intervention period) adult patients admitted with pneumonia, the mean (SD) age of patients was 68.1 (17.0) years, 48.1% were men, and the median (IQR) Elixhauser comorbidity count was 4 (2-6). Compared with routine stewardship, the group using CPOE prompts had a 28.4% reduction in empiric extended-spectrum days of therapy (rate ratio, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.66-0.78]; P < .001). Safety outcomes of mean days to ICU transfer (6.5 vs 7.1 days) and hospital length of stay (6.8 vs 7.1 days) did not differ significantly between the routine and CPOE intervention groups.

Conclusions and Relevance

Empiric extended-spectrum antibiotic use was significantly lower among adults admitted with pneumonia to non-ICU settings in hospitals using education, feedback, and CPOE prompts recommending standard-spectrum antibiotics for patients at low risk of MDRO infection, compared with routine stewardship practices. Hospital length of stay and days to ICU transfer were unchanged.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03697070.

Diagnostic and antibiotic use practices among COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients in the Indonesian National Referral Hospital

BACKGROUND

Little is known about diagnostic and antibiotic use practices in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) before and during COVID-19 pandemic. This information is crucial for monitoring and evaluation of diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardships in healthcare facilities.

METHODS

We linked and analyzed routine databases of hospital admission, microbiology laboratory and drug dispensing of Indonesian National Referral Hospital from 2019 to 2020. Patients were classified as COVID-19 cases if their SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR result were positive. Blood culture (BC) practices and time to discontinuation of parenteral antibiotics among inpatients who received a parenteral antibiotic for at least four consecutive days were used to assess diagnostic and antibiotic use practices, respectively. Fine and Grey subdistribution hazard model was used.

RESULTS

Of 1,311 COVID-19 and 58,917 non-COVID-19 inpatients, 333 (25.4%) and 18,837 (32.0%) received a parenteral antibiotic for at least four consecutive days. Proportion of patients having BC taken within ±1 calendar day of parenteral antibiotics being started was higher in COVID-19 than in non-COVID-19 patients (21.0% [70/333] vs. 18.7% [3,529/18,837]; p<0.001). Cumulative incidence of having a BC taken within 28 days was higher in COVID-19 than in non-COVID-19 patients (44.7% [149/333] vs. 33.2% [6,254/18,837]; adjusted subdistribution-hazard ratio [aSHR] 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.47-1.99, p<0.001). The median time to discontinuation of parenteral antibiotics was longer in COVID-19 than in non-COVID-19 patients (13 days vs. 8 days; aSHR 0.73, 95%Cl 0.65-0.83, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Routine electronic data could be used to inform diagnostic and antibiotic use practices in LMICs. In Indonesia, the proportion of timely blood culture is low in both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients, and duration of parenteral antibiotics is longer in COVID-19 patients. Improving diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship is critically needed.

Reducing antimicrobial overuse through targeted therapy for patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a study protocol for a cluster-randomized factorial controlled trial (CARE-CAP)

BACKGROUND

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a significant public health concern and a leading cause of hospitalization and inpatient antimicrobial use in the USA. However, determining the etiologic pathogen is challenging because traditional culture methods are slow and insensitive, leading to prolonged empiric therapy with extended-spectrum antibiotics (ESA) that contributes to increased hospital length of stay, and antimicrobial resistance. Two potential ways to reduce the exposure to ESA are (a) rapid diagnostic assays that can provide accurate results within hours, obviating the need for empiric therapy, and (b) de-escalation following negative bacterial cultures in clinically stable patients.

METHODS

We will conduct a large pragmatic 2 × 2 factorial cluster-randomized controlled trial across 12 hospitals in the Cleveland Clinic Health System that will test these two approaches to reducing the use of ESA in adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) with CAP. We will enroll over 12,000 patients and evaluate the independent and combined effects of routine use of rapid diagnostic testing at admission and pharmacist-led de-escalation after 48 h for clinically stable patients with negative cultures vs usual care. We hypothesize that both approaches will reduce days on ESA. Our primary outcome is the duration of exposure to ESA therapy, a key driver of antimicrobial resistance. Secondary outcomes include detection of respiratory viruses, treatment with anti-viral medications, positive pneumococcal urinary antigen test, de-escalation by 72 h from admission, re-escalation to ESA after de-escalation, total duration of any antibiotic, 14-day in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit transfer after admission, healthcare-associated C. difficile infection, acute kidney injury, total inpatient cost, and hospital length-of-stay.

DISCUSSION

Our study aims to determine whether identifying an etiological agent early and pharmacist-led de-escalation (calling attention to negative cultures) can safely reduce the use of ESA in patients with CAP. If successful, our findings should lead to better antimicrobial stewardship, as well as improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Our findings may also inform clinical guidelines on the optimal management of CAP.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05568654 . Registered on October 4, 2022.

The impact of antimicrobial de-escalation therapy in culture-negative pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Antimicrobial de-escalation (ADE) remains a challenging strategy in the treatment of pneumonia. We investigated the outcomes of ADE as measured by mortality and duration of the use of antibiotics in patients with culture- negative pneumonia.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality.

RESULTS

We examined six studies comprising 11,933 subjects, of whom 1,152 received ADE. Overall, the ADE strategy was associated with a statistically lower risk of in-hospital mortality compared with non-ADE (risk ratio [RR] = 0.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.38 to 0.93). Although substantial heterogeneity was found among the included studies (I2 = 66%), a meta-regression analysis could not reveal plausible sources of heterogeneity. And ADE was associated with a shorter duration of total and initial antibiotic therapies and total length of hospital stay compared with non-ADE.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that ADE seems to be significantly associated with better clinical outcomes compared with non-ADE. Caution is demanded when interpreting data of this study because of substantial between-study heterogeneity.

Effect of Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic De-escalation on Critically Ill Patient Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE

Antibiotic de-escalation (ADE) in critically ill patients is controversial. Previous studies mainly focused on mortality; however, data are lacking about superinfection. Therefore, we aimed to identify the impact of ADE versus continuation of therapy on superinfections rate and other outcomes in critically ill patients.

METHODS

This was a two-center retrospective cohort study of adults initiated on broad-spectrum antibiotics in the intensive care unit (ICU) for ≥ 48 h. The primary outcome was the superinfection rate. Secondary outcomes included 30-day infection recurrence, ICU and hospital length of stay, and mortality.

RESULTS

250 patients were included, 125 in each group (ADE group and continuation group). Broad spectrum antibiotic discontinuation occurred at a mean of 7.2 ± 5.2 days in the ADE arm vs. 10.3 ± 7.7 in the continuation arm (P value = 0.001). Superinfection was numerically lower in the ADE group (6.4% vs. 10.4%; P = 0.254), but the difference was not significant. Additionally, the ADE group had shorter days to infection recurrence (P = 0.045) but a longer hospital stay (26 (14-46) vs. 21 (10-36) days; P = 0.016) and a longer ICU stay (14 (6-23) vs. 8 (4-16) days; P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

No significant differences were found in superinfection rates among ICU patients whose broad-spectrum antibiotics were de-escalated versus patients whose antibiotics were continued. Future research into the association between rapid diagnostics with antibiotic de-escalation in the setting of high resistance is warranted.

Antibiotic De-Escalation in Critically Ill Patients with Negative Clinical Cultures

(1) Background: Antibiotics are received by a majority of adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Guidelines recommend antibiotic de-escalation (ADE) when culture results are available; however, there is less guidance for patients with negative cultures. The purpose of this study was in investigate ADE rates in an ICU population with negative clinical cultures. (2) Methods: This single-center, retrospective, cohort study evaluated ICU patients who received broad-spectrum antibiotics. The definition of de-escalation was antibiotic discontinuation or narrowing of the spectrum within 72 h of initiation. The outcomes evaluated included the rate of antibiotic de-escalation, mortality, rates of antimicrobial escalation, AKI incidence, new hospital acquired infections, and lengths of stay. (3) Results: Of the 173 patients included, 38 (22%) underwent pivotal ADE within 72 h, and 82 (47%) had companion antibiotics de-escalated. Notable differences in patient outcomes included shorter durations of therapy (p = 0.003), length of stay (p < 0.001), and incidence of AKI (p = 0.031) in those that underwent pivotal ADE; no difference in mortality was found. (4) Conclusions: The results from this study show the feasibility of ADE in patients with negative clinical cultures without a negative impact on the outcomes. However, further investigation is needed to determine its effect on the development of resistance and adverse effects.

Continuation Versus De-escalation of Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic Therapy in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients

Background

Antibiotic de-escalation (ADE) is a stewardship initiative that aims to reduce exposure to antimicrobials, thus limiting their unwanted effect, including antimicrobial resistance. Our study aims to describe the impact of ADE compared with the continuation of therapy on the outcome of critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

Material and Methods

A single-center retrospective study included critically ill COVID-19 adult patients admitted between January 1, 2019 and August 31, 2021, and started on broad-spectrum antibiotics. The primary outcome was intensive care unit (ICU) mortality. In addition, other clinical outcomes were evaluated, including ICU readmissions, length of stay, and superinfection.

Results

The study included 73 patients with a mean age of 61.0 ± 19.4, and ADE was performed in 10 (13.6%) of these. In the ADE group, 8/10 (80%) cultures were positive. ICU mortality was not statistically different between ADE and continuation of therapy groups (60 vs. 41.3%, respectively, P = 0.317). Superinfection occurred in 4 (5.4%) patients. Hospital mortality, length of stay, and ICU readmission rates did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusion

De-escalation of broad-spectrum antibiotics in critically ill covid-19 patients was not associated with higher mortality. A larger cohort is needed to confirm these findings.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s44229-023-00027-0.

The potential of 4D's approach in curbing antimicrobial resistance among bacterial pathogens

INTRODUCTION

Antibiotics are life-saving drugs but irrational/inappropriate use leads to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial superbugs, making their treatment extremely challenging. Increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among bacterial pathogens is becoming a serious public health concern globally. If ignorance persists, there would not be any antibiotics available to treat even a common bacterial infection in future.

AREA COVERED

This article intends to collate and discuss the potential of 4D's (right Drug, Dose, Duration, and De-escalation of therapy) approach to tackle the emerging problem of AMR. For this, we searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline, and clinicaltrials.gov databases primarily using keywords 'optimal antibiotic therapy,' 'antimicrobial resistance,' 'higher versus lower dose antibiotic treatment,' 'shorter versus longer duration antibiotic treatment,' 'de-escalation study', and 'antimicrobial stewardship measures' and based on the findings, form and expressed our opinion.

EXPERT OPINION

More efforts are needed for developing diagnostics for rapid, accurate, point-of-care, and cost-effective pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) to facilitate rational use of antibiotics. Current dosing and duration of therapies also need to be redefined to maximize their impact. Furthermore, de-escalation approaches should be developed and encouraged in the clinic. This altogether will minimize selection pressure on the pathogens and reduce emergence of AMR.

ESTIMATING THE RISK OF BACTERAEMIA IN HOSPITALISED PATIENTS WITH PNEUMOCOCCAL PNEUMONIA

Objective To construct a prediction model for bacteraemia in patients with pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia (P-CAP) based on variables easily obtained at hospital admission. MethodsThis prospective observational multicentre derivation-validation study was conducted in patients hospitalised with P-CAP between 2000-2020. All cases were diagnosed based on positive urinary antigen tests in the emergency department and had blood cultures taken on admission. A risk score to predict bacteraemia was developed. Results We included 1783 patients with P-CAP (1195 in the derivation and 588 in the validation cohort). A third (33.3%) of the patients had bacteraemia. In the multivariate analysis, the following were identified as independent factors associated with bacteraemia: no influenza vaccination the last year, no pneumococcal vaccination in the last 5 years, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) ≥30 mg/dL, sodium <130 mmol/L, lymphocyte count <800/µl, C-reactive protein ≥200 mg/L, respiratory failure, pleural effusion and no antibiotic treatment before admission. The score yielded good discrimination (AUC 0.732; 95% CI: 0.695-0.769) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow p-value 0.801), with similar performance in the validation cohort (AUC 0.764; 95% CI:0.719-0.809). Conclusions We found nine predictive factors easily obtained on hospital admission that could help achieve early identification of bacteraemia. The prediction model provides a useful tool to guide diagnostic decisions.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi and can be prevented through vaccination with pneumococcal, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccines. Diagnosis requires suggestive history and physical findings in conjunction with radiographic evidence of infiltrates. Laboratory testing can help guide therapy. Important issues in treatment include choosing the proper venue, timely initiation of the appropriate antibiotic or antiviral, appropriate respiratory support, deescalation after negative culture results, switching to oral therapy, and short treatment duration.

Assessment of Antibiotic De-escalation by Spectrum Score in Patients With Nosocomial Pneumonia: A Single-Center, Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia (HAP/VAP) cause significant mortality. Guidelines recommend empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics followed by de-escalation (DE). This study sought to assess the impact of DE on treatment failure.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective cohort study screened all adult patients with a discharge diagnosis code for pneumonia from 2016 to 2019. Patients were enrolled if they met predefined criteria for HAP/VAP ≥48 hours after admission. Date of pneumonia diagnosis was defined as day 0. Spectrum scores were calculated, and DE was defined as a score reduction on day 3 versus day 1. Patients with DE were compared to patients with no de-escalation (NDE). The primary outcome was composite treatment failure, defined as all-cause mortality or readmission for pneumonia within 30 days of diagnosis.

RESULTS

Of 11860 admissions screened, 1812 unique patient-admissions were included (1102 HAP, 710 VAP). Fewer patients received DE (876 DE vs 1026 NDE). Groups were well matched at baseline, although more patients receiving DE had respiratory cultures ordered (56.6% vs 50.6%, P = .011). There was no difference in composite treatment failure (35.0% DE vs 33.8% NDE, P = .604). De-escalation was not associated with treatment failure on multivariable Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-1.33). Patients receiving DE had fewer antibiotic days (median 9 vs 11, P < .0001), episodes of Clostridioides difficile infection (2.2% vs 3.8%, P = .046), and hospital days (median 20 vs 22 days, P = .006).

CONCLUSIONS

De-escalation and NDE resulted in similar rates of 30-day treatment failure; however, DE was associated with fewer antibiotic days, episodes of C difficile infection, and days of hospitalization.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic on Antimicrobial Resistance: A Literature Review

Antimicrobial resistance is an urgent threat to public health and global development; in this scenario, the SARS-CoV2 pandemic has caused a major disruption of healthcare systems and practices. A narrative review was conducted on articles focusing on the impact of COVID-19 on multidrug-resistant gram-negative, gram-positive bacteria, and fungi. We found that, worldwide, multiple studies reported an unexpected high incidence of infections due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus, carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and C. auris among COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit. In this setting, inappropriate antimicrobial exposure, environmental contamination, and discontinuation of infection control measures may have driven selection and diffusion of drug-resistant pathogens.

Initial antimicrobial management of sepsis

Sepsis is a common consequence of infection, associated with a mortality rate > 25%. Although community-acquired sepsis is more common, hospital-acquired infection is more lethal. The most common site of infection is the lung, followed by abdominal infection, catheter-associated blood steam infection and urinary tract infection. Gram-negative sepsis is more common than gram-positive infection, but sepsis can also be due to fungal and viral pathogens. To reduce mortality, it is necessary to give immediate, empiric, broad-spectrum therapy to those with severe sepsis and/or shock, but this approach can drive antimicrobial overuse and resistance and should be accompanied by a commitment to de-escalation and antimicrobial stewardship. Biomarkers such a procalcitonin can provide decision support for antibiotic use, and may identify patients with a low likelihood of infection, and in some settings, can guide duration of antibiotic therapy. Sepsis can involve drug-resistant pathogens, and this often necessitates consideration of newer antimicrobial agents.