# Preventing resistance development in infections by OXA β-lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa: correlating clinical outcomes with hollow-fibre model input

## TL;DR

This study explores how different antibiotic dosing strategies affect resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, using clinical cases and a hollow-fibre model.

## Contribution

The study correlates clinical outcomes with hollow-fibre model data to identify effective antibiotic regimens against OXA-producing P. aeruginosa.

## Key findings

- High-concentration and prolonged antibiotic infusions can eradicate OXA-producing P. aeruginosa and prevent resistance.
- Resistance mechanisms involve OXA enzyme overexpression or modification, with one case involving an AmpC mutation.
- Low-exposure regimens led to bacterial rebound and resistance selection in the hollow-fibre model.

## Abstract

Infections caused by XDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa significantly limit treatment options. Although ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam have emerged as promising alternatives, increasing resistance has been reported. This study describes three critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by OXA-producing XDR P. aeruginosa that developed resistance to both agents during therapy.

Antibiotic exposure and resistance were monitored clinically and in a hollow-fibre infection model (HFIM) to evaluate different ceftazidime/avibactam and ceftolozane/tazobactam regimens. Drug concentrations, bacterial burden and resistant mutants were assessed. Whole-genome sequencing and resistance profiling were performed on both clinical and HFIM-derived isolates.

Initial patient isolates were susceptible to both antibiotics. One belonged to ST179 (OXA-10 producer), while two were ST235 (OXA-2 or OXA-2 + OXA-10 producers). Resistance emerged during therapy in all cases. In the HFIM, continuous infusion of ceftolozane/tazobactam plus meropenem achieved bacterial eradication for ST179 within 8 h. For ST235 isolates, high-exposure ceftazidime/avibactam regimens (4-h or continuous infusion) achieved bacterial eradication and prevented regrowth. In contrast, low-exposure 2-h infusions allowed bacterial rebound and resistance selection. Mechanisms of resistance were similar across clinical and HFIM isolates, involving overexpression or structural modification of OXA enzymes, except in one ST235 HFIM derived-isolate, in which resistance development was caused by an AmpC Ω-loop mutation. Pharmacokinetic validation confirmed accurate drug exposure in the model.

These findings underscore the importance of optimized dosing strategies, particularly high-concentration and prolonged infusions, in eradicating and preventing resistance development in OXA-producing P. aeruginosa infections.