Dalbavancin for the Treatment of Prosthetic Joint Infections: A Narrative Review

The MIC distribution of dalbavancin differs between different coagulase-negative staphylococci

Background

CoNS constitute a significant part of the human microbiota of skin and mucous membranes. They can cause nosocomial infections, and have shown decreased susceptibility to several antibiotics. The few remaining treatment options include (lipo)glycopeptides such as dalbavancin. However, there is a lack of knowledge concerning whether susceptibility to lipoglycopeptides varies between different species of CoNS.

Objectives

To determine the susceptibility to dalbavancin in different species of CoNS.

Methods

We investigated 480 bacterial isolates from 10 CoNS species: Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus caprae, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, Staphylococcus warneri, Staphylococcus pettenkoferi, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus sciuri and Staphylococcus simulans. The isolates were randomly selected from different sources of infection, including blood isolates, as well as deep and superficial infections. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested with the gradient test method.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference (ANOVA; P < 0.0001) in the MIC distribution for dalbavancin between different CoNS species. S. sciuri was the least susceptible species, with 90% of the isolates having an MIC value for dalbavancin above the EUCAST breakpoint of 0.125 mg/L. The lowest MIC90 values were seen for S. capitis, S. simulans and S. caprae (all 0.032 mg/L).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated a difference in dalbavancin susceptibility between different CoNS species, suggesting that species-specific breakpoints for CoNS should be further investigated.

Effective use of a two-dose regimen of dalbavancin to treat prosthetic joint infections and spinal hardware infections

PURPOSE

Dalbavancin is an attractive antibiotic for the treatment of Gram-positive musculoskeletal infections given its long half-life and prolonged duration in cortical bones. For certain patient populations compliance with antibiotic regimens can be problematic. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness, tolerance, and compliance of treating prosthetic joint and spinal hardware infections with a unique two-dose regimen of dalbavancin.

METHODS

Identification of patients that had prosthetic joint infections and spinal hardware infections from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2021, that had received a two-dose regimen of dalbavancin for these infections was conducted. Patient demographics, infection recurrence, compliance and adverse drug reactions to the two-dose regimen of dalbavancin were recorded. Furthermore, preserved clinical isolates from these infections were assessed for susceptibility to dalbavancin with microbroth dilutions.

RESULTS

All patients were fully compliant with the two dose dalbavancin regimen and no patient had any adverse reactions to the two-dose dalbavancin regimen. Thirteen of fifteen patients (85.7%) have not had any recurrence of their infections and all preserved clinical isolates showed susceptibility to dalbavancin.

DISCUSSION

The two-dose regimen of dalbavancin is an effective and attractive option in treating prosthetic joint and spinal hardware infections to forgo long term central venous access and ensure compliance. However, the use of rifampin and suppression antibiotics still needs to be considered when treating these infections. Nonetheless this study supports that a two-dose dalbavancin regimen is a viable alternative in certain clinical settings and consideration for a randomized controlled clinical trial should be entertained to prove its non-inferiority to conventional treatments.

Expert Opinion on Dose Regimen and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring for Long-Term Use of Dalbavancin: Expert Review Panel

BACKGROUND

Dalbavancin is a lipoglycopeptide with a long elimination half-life and is currently licensed for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections in adults. Dalbavancin's potential in treating off-label complex Gram-positive infections is promising and real-world experience in treating such infections is growing. However, clear guidance on extended dosing regimens is lacking.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to provide clear expert opinion based on recent pharmacokinetic literature and expert and real-world experience in infection areas that require > 2 weeks of treatment.

METHODS

A single face-to-face meeting was held in September 2022 to collate expert opinion and present safety data of dalbavancin use in these clinical indications. A survey was completed by all authors on their individual experience with dalbavancin, which highlighted the heterogeneity in the regimens that were used.

RESULTS

After review of the survey data and recent literature, this study presents expert panel proposals that accommodate different healthcare settings and resource availability, and centre around the length of treatment duration including up to or exceeding 6 weeks. To achieve adequate dalbavancin concentrations for up to 6 weeks, 3000 mg of dalbavancin should be given over 4 weeks for the agreed complex infections requiring > 2 weeks of treatment. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is advised for longer treatment durations and in cases of renal failure. Specific dosing recommendations for other special populations require further investigation.

CONCLUSIONS

These proposals based on expert opinion have been defined to encourage best practice with dalbavancin, to optimise its administration beyond the current approved licenced dose across different healthcare settings.

Ototoxicity associated with extended dalbavancin treatment for a shoulder prosthetic joint infection

BACKGROUND

Dalbavancin is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic approved for treatment of skin and soft tissue infections, administered as a single or two-dose treatment. The extended half-life, good penetration into bone and synovial fluid, and bactericidal activity against gram-positive bacteria, including those in biofilm, make dalbavancin an appealing choice for treatment of bone and joint infections in outpatient settings. However, we present a rare case of ototoxicity associated with off-label extended dalbavancin treatment of a prosthetic joint infection.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 55-year-old man with a prosthetic joint infection of the shoulder underwent off-label extended dalbavancin treatment, receiving a cumulative dose of 2500 mg. The patient experienced a gradual onset of hearing loss following the first dose, leading to a diagnosis of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss that persisted 1 year after dalbavancin was discontinued.

CONCLUSIONS

This case report highlights the importance of exercising caution when administering dalbavancin beyond approved dosing guidelines, and emphasizes the need for vigilance regarding the potential for ototoxicity.

Real-World Data Regarding Dalbavancin Use before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Single-Center Retrospective Study

Dalbavancin is a semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide, which possesses great potential for bactericidal activity similar to antimicrobials with the same mechanism of action, such as vancomycin and teicoplanin. Due to its very prolonged half-life, it can be used in a single or two-dose regimen to treat infections by Gram-positive microorganisms, even resistant ones, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Currently, it is approved only for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs). The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients to whom dalbavancin was administered at the University Hospital of Heraklion and evaluate its use in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, 146 patients were included in this retrospective cohort study evaluating the use of dalbavancin from the first time it was used in 2017 until the end of 2022. The median age was 68 years (range: 21-96 years), and 86 (59%) patients were male. The most common indications for dalbavancin use were osteoarticular infections in 43%, followed by ABSSSIs in 37%, and cardiovascular infections in 10%. Dalbavancin was used empirically in one out of three patients, most commonly with the indication of ABSSSIs, and most commonly in the post-COVID-19 era. The most frequently isolated pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci in 70%, S. aureus in 27%, Enterococcus spp. in 22%, and Streptococcus spp. in 8%, while one out of three infections were polymicrobial. In 12% of patients, the infection was not cured, but no patients died. For patients with ABSSSIs, endocarditis and vascular infections, and bacteremia, the cure rates were more than 90%, and in osteoarticular infections, the cure rate was 76%. Thus, dalbavancin has great potential for use in complicated and invasive infections that may require prolonged intravenous antimicrobial treatment. However, further studies are required to formally investigate its role in such infections.

Differential response to antibiotic therapy in staphylococcal infective endocarditis: contribution of an ex vivo model

OBJECTIVES

Staphylococcal infective endocarditis (IE) remains a hard-to-treat infection with high mortality. Both the evaluation of new innovative therapies and research on alternative models mimicking human IE are therefore urgently needed to improve the prognosis of patients with diagnosed IE. Dalbavancin is a novel anti-staphylococcal lipoglycopeptide but there are limited data supporting its efficacy on biofilm infections. This antibiotic could be an alternative to current therapies for the medical treatment of IE but it needs to be further evaluated.

METHODS

Here we developed an original ex vivo model of Staphylococcus aureus IE on human heart valves and assessed biofilm formation on them. After validating the model, the efficacy of two antistaphylococcal antibiotics, vancomycin and dalbavancin, was compared by measuring and visualizing their respective ability to inhibit and eradicate late-formed biofilm.

RESULTS

Determination of the minimum biofilm inhibitory (MbIC) and eradicating (MbEC) concentrations in our ex vivo model identified dalbavancin as a promising drug with much lower MbIC and MBEC than vancomycin (respectively <0.01 versus 28 mg/L and 0.03 versus 32 mg/L).

CONCLUSIONS

These data highlight a strong bactericidal effect of dalbavancin, particularly on an infected heart valve compared with vancomycin. Dalbavancin could be a realistic alternative treatment for the management of staphylococcal IE.

Antimicrobial Peptides: Challenging Journey to the Pharmaceutical, Biomedical, and Cosmeceutical Use

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), or host defence peptides, are short proteins in various life forms. Here we discuss AMPs, which may become a promising substitute or adjuvant in pharmaceutical, biomedical, and cosmeceutical uses. Their pharmacological potential has been investigated intensively, especially as antibacterial and antifungal drugs and as promising antiviral and anticancer agents. AMPs exhibit many properties, and some of these have attracted the attention of the cosmetic industry. AMPs are being developed as novel antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens and as potential treatments for various diseases, including cancer, inflammatory disorders, and viral infections. In biomedicine, AMPs are being developed as wound-healing agents because they promote cell growth and tissue repair. The immunomodulatory effects of AMPs could be helpful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In the cosmeceutical industry, AMPs are being investigated as potential ingredients in skincare products due to their antioxidant properties (anti-ageing effects) and antibacterial activity, which allows the killing of bacteria that contribute to acne and other skin conditions. The promising benefits of AMPs make them a thrilling area of research, and studies are underway to overcome obstacles and fully harness their therapeutic potential. This review presents the structure, mechanisms of action, possible applications, production methods, and market for AMPs.

2022 SPILF - Clinical Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of disco-vertebral infection in adults

These guidelines are an update of those made in 2007 at the request of the French Society of Infectious Diseases (SPILF, Société de Pathologie Infectieuse de Langue Française). They are intended for use by all healthcare professionals caring for patients with disco-vertebral infection (DVI) on spine, whether native or instrumented. They include evidence and opinion-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of patients with DVI. ESR, PCT and scintigraphy, antibiotic therapy without microorganism identification (except for emergency situations), therapy longer than 6 weeks if the DVI is not complicated, contraindication for spinal osteosynthesis in a septic context, and prolonged dorsal decubitus are no longer to be done in DVI management. MRI study must include exploration of the entire spine with at least 2 orthogonal planes for the affected level(s). Several disco-vertebral samples must be performed if blood cultures are negative. Short, adapted treatment and directly oral antibiotherapy or early switch from intravenous to oral antibiotherapy are recommended. Consultation of a spine specialist should be requested to evaluate spinal stability. Early lifting of patients is recommended.

Emerging resistance in Staphylococcus epidermidis during dalbavancin exposure: a case report and in vitro analysis of isolates from prosthetic joint infections

BACKGROUND

Dalbavancin, a semisynthetic lipoglycopeptide with exceptionally long half-life and Gram-positive spectrum, is an attractive option for infections requiring prolonged therapy, including prosthetic joint infections (PJIs).

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of reduced susceptibility to dalbavancin in a strain collection of Staphylococcus epidermidis from PJIs, and to investigate genomic variation in isolates with reduced susceptibility selected during growth under dalbavancin exposure.

METHODS

MIC determination was performed on S. epidermidis isolates from a strain collection (n = 64) and from one patient with emerging resistance during treatment (n = 4). These isolates were subsequently cultured on dalbavancin-containing agar and evaluated at 48 h; MIC determination was repeated if phenotypical heterogeneity was detected during growth. Population analysis profile (PAP-AUC) was performed in isolates where a  ≥ 2-fold increase in MIC was detected, together with corresponding parental isolates (n = 21). Finally, WGS was performed.

RESULTS

All strains grew at 48 h on agar containing 0.125 mg/L dalbavancin. PAP-AUC demonstrated significant differences between parental and derived strains in four of the eight analysed groups. An amino acid change in the walK gene coinciding with emergence of phenotypic resistance was detected in the patient isolates, whereas no alterations were found in this region in the in vitro derived strains.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to dalbavancin may lead to reduced susceptibility to dalbavancin through either selection of pre-existing subpopulations, epigenetic changes or spontaneous mutations during antibiotic exposure. Source control combined with adequate antibiotic concentrations may be important to prevent emerging reduced susceptibility during dalbavancin treatment.

New Perspectives on Antimicrobial Agents: Long-Acting Lipoglycopeptides

The long-acting lipoglycopeptides (LGPs) dalbavancin and oritavancin are semisynthetic antimicrobials with broad and potent activity against Gram-positive bacterial pathogens. While they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for acute bacterial skin and soft tissue infections, their pharmacological properties suggest a potential role of these agents for the treatment of deep-seated and severe infections, such as bloodstream and bone and joint infections. The use of these antimicrobials is particularly appealing when prolonged therapy, early discharge, and avoidance of long-term intravascular catheter access are desirable or when multidrug-resistant bacteria are suspected. This review describes the current evidence for the use of oritavancin and dalbavancin in the treatment of invasive infections, as well as the hurdles that are preventing their optimal use. Moreover, this review discusses the current knowledge gaps that need to be filled to understand the potential role of LGPs in highly needed clinical scenarios and the ongoing clinical studies that aim to address these voids in the upcoming years.

Dalbavancin in Gram-positive periprosthetic joint infections

OBJECTIVES

The unique properties of dalbavancin (DAL) emphasize the need to explore its clinical benefits to treat periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). The present study aimed to compare the treatment outcome of dalbavancin with Standard of Care (SoC) in hip and knee PJIs.

METHODS

Eighty-nine patients were selected for each group of this study based on our prospectively maintained PJI database. A 1:1 propensity score-matching was performed between patients who received at least two doses of dalbavancin and those who received SoC. Patients were matched based on demographics, joint, patient risk factors, Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria, surgical management and type of infection. Treatment outcome was evaluated considering re-infection and re-revision rates, safety and tolerability of dalbavancin after a minimum of 1 year follow-up.

RESULTS

Infection eradication was achieved in 69 (77.5%) and 66 (74.2%) patients of the DAL and SoC groups, respectively. Thirteen (14.6%) patients in the DAL group and 12 (13.5%) patients in the SoC group had an infection-related re-revision. The most prevalent microorganisms among the two groups were Staphylococcus epidermidis (32.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (13.8%) and Cutibacterium spp. (11.3%). There were significantly less Gram-positive bacteria (P = 0.03) detected in patients who received dalbavancin (17.4%) treatment compared with those treated with SoC (48.0%) in culture-positive re-revisions.

CONCLUSIONS

Dalbavancin treatment for Gram-positive PJIs resulted in a similar outcome to SoC, with excellent safety and low rate of adverse effects. Dalbavancin seems to be a promising antimicrobial against PJIs by reducing the risk of Gram-positive re-infections and allowing a less frequent dosage with potential outpatient IV treatment.

Role of dalbavancin as combination therapy: evidences from the literature and clinical scenarios

INTRODUCTION

The off-label use of dalbavancin in patients with infections other than acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) represents an interesting therapeutic option. Its use as monotherapy or in combination with other antibiotics should be better defined.

AREAS COVERED

The aim of this review is to summarize evidence about the potential role of dalbavancin in combination with other antibiotics and describe clinical scenarios in which combination regimens including dalbavancin are useful. The studies were retrieved from PubMed using different combinations of keywords ("dalbavancin", "combination", "synergy").

EXPERT OPINION

Limited data about the use of dalbavancin in monotherapy or combined with other antibiotics are available. In vitro assays showed a synergistic effect of dalbavancin when combined with beta-lactam antibiotics. The use of dalbavancin as combination therapy in patients with ABSSSI did not demonstrate a superiority compared to monotherapy. Conversely, combination regimens including dalbavancin may be useful in specific infection types, such as bone and prosthetic joint infections or subacute/chronic intravascular infections with no possibility of device removal. Potential partner drugs might be rifampin, beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, doxycycline and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The choice of the companion drug should be tailored on in vitro results of synergistic tests, patient's profile and type of infection.

Orthopaedic Implant-Associated Staphylococcal Infections: A Critical Reappraisal of Unmet Clinical Needs Associated with the Implementation of the Best Antibiotic Choice

Infections associated with orthopaedic implants represent a major health concern characterized by a remarkable incidence of morbidity and mortality. The wide variety of clinical scenarios encountered in the heterogeneous world of infections associated with orthopaedic implants makes the implementation of an optimal and standardized antimicrobial treatment challenging. Antibiotic bone penetration, anti-biofilm activity, long-term safety, and drug choice/dosage regimens favouring outpatient management (i.e., long-acting or oral agents) play a major role in regards to the chronic evolution of these infections. The aim of this multidisciplinary opinion article is to summarize evidence supporting the use of the different anti-staphylococcal agents in terms of microbiological and pharmacological optimization according to bone penetration, anti-biofilm activity, long-term safety, and feasibility for outpatient regimens, and to provide a useful guide for clinicians in the management of patients affected by staphylococcal infections associated with orthopaedic implants Novel long-acting lipoglycopeptides, and particularly dalbavancin, alone or in combination with rifampicin, could represent the best antibiotic choice according to real-world evidence and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties. The implementation of a multidisciplinary taskforce and close cooperation between microbiologists and clinicians is crucial for providing the best care in this scenario.

Use of Dalbavancin in Skin, Bone and Joint Infections: A Real-Life Experience in an Italian Center

Dalbavancin is a lipoglycopeptide approved for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety in all patients who received at least one administration of dalbavancin.

METHODS

We carried out a retrospective study of the use of dalbavancin in 55 patients at the Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I (Ancona, Italy) from February 2017 to May 2020 and compared "on label" and "off label" use of dalbavancin in ABSSSI and non-ABSSSI.

RESULTS

A total of 55 patients were included in the study. The median age was 61 years; 51% had ABSSSI; 24% had prosthetic joint infections, and 14% had osteomyelitis. A total of 53% received a single 1500 mg infusion of dalbavancin, and 18% received a second dose 14 days later; 24% of patients received further doses at 14-day intervals. In 91% of cases, patients achieved clinical objectives with dalbavancin: 96% of patients with ABSSSI and 69% of those with prosthetic joint infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Dalbavancin was shown to have an excellent tolerability profile and to be a highly successful therapeutic approach even in those cases treated "off-label".