Carolina Garcia-Vidal1, Anat Stern2, Carlota Gudiol3,4,5. 1. Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona-IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 2. Division of Infectious Diseases, Rambam Healthcare Campus, Haifa, Israel. 3. Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, IDIBELL (Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge), University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat. 4. Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Hospital Duran i Reynals, IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona. 5. REIPI (Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB) infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in high-risk hematologic patients. Early diagnosis and management of antibiotic treatment in these patients is a challenge for physicians. This review focuses on the latest literature reports that concern the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of MDR-GNB infections in this population. RECENT FINDINGS: High-risk haematological patients have several risk factors that make them particularly susceptible to MDR-GNB infections. Few studies have examined the implementation of rapid diagnostic methods for multidrug resistance, and their impact on management in this population. Inappropriate empiric antibiotic treatment in these patients has been described frequently and is associated with poor outcomes. SUMMARY: Knowledge of the local epidemiology of MDR-GNB is a basic requirement to guide empiric antibiotic treatments in each centre. New diagnosic tests might help in faster identification of MDR-GNB infections. Appropriate empiric antibiotic treatment is crucial for improving patients' prognosis. Important strategies to reduce inadequate antibiotic treatment include better risk stratification for MDR-GNB infection and the introduction of new, more broad-spectrum antibiotic therapies.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (MDR-GNB) infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in high-risk hematologic patients. Early diagnosis and management of antibiotic treatment in these patients is a challenge for physicians. This review focuses on the latest literature reports that concern the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of MDR-GNB infections in this population. RECENT FINDINGS: High-risk haematological patients have several risk factors that make them particularly susceptible to MDR-GNB infections. Few studies have examined the implementation of rapid diagnostic methods for multidrug resistance, and their impact on management in this population. Inappropriate empiric antibiotic treatment in these patients has been described frequently and is associated with poor outcomes. SUMMARY: Knowledge of the local epidemiology of MDR-GNB is a basic requirement to guide empiric antibiotic treatments in each centre. New diagnosic tests might help in faster identification of MDR-GNB infections. Appropriate empiric antibiotic treatment is crucial for improving patients' prognosis. Important strategies to reduce inadequate antibiotic treatment include better risk stratification for MDR-GNB infection and the introduction of new, more broad-spectrum antibiotic therapies.