Cefotaxime-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CE)
infections are intractable, with limited treatment options. Though
carbapenems are frequently prescribed for CE
infections, the emergence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae is of huge concern.
Flomoxef is effective against CE in vitro, and some clinical data on its demonstrated effectiveness against CE
bloodstream infections (BSIs) exists.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on adults with BSI caused by
flomoxef-susceptible CE to investigate the efficacy of
flomoxef compared with that of
ertapenem. The outcome was evaluated with propensity score-based matching and logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS: Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients treated with
flomoxef (n = 58) or
ertapenem (n = 188) were compared. In the multivariate analysis,
severe sepsis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16-12.78; p = 0.03), high BSI mortality score (AOR = 5.59; 95% CI, 2.37-13.21; p < 0.01), ultimately or rapidly fatal comorbidity (AOR = 10.60; 95% CI, 3.43-32.75; p < 0.01), and
pneumonia (AOR = 10.11; 95% CI, 3.43-29.81; p < 0.01) were independently associated with 28-day mortality. Using propensity scores, 58
flomoxef-treated patients were matched to 116
ertapenem-treated patients. There were no intergroup differences in BSI severity, comorbidity, or BSI sources. The 28-day mortality rates (20.7% vs 13.8%, p = 0.28) did not differ significantly. However, hospitalization length was shorter in the
ertapenem group (10.2 ± 8.5 vs. 14.6 ± 9.4 days, p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: Although similar outcomes were observed between the groups,
ertapenem therapy was associated with a shorter hospitalization time in adults after CE BSI.