Impact of COVID-19 on Outpatient Antimicrobial Prescribing Patterns in New York City.

Background: Antibiotic and antiviral agents may be prescribed in patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections because of in vitro evidence of cessation of viral replication, potential bacterial secondary or coinfection, and inability to distinguish COVID-19 infections from common bacterial infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate antimicrobial prescribing patterns in the outpatient setting during the initial peak of COVID-19 in New York City.

Methods: This single-center, retrospective chart review included patients at least 18 years old who were prescribed oral antimicrobial agents in outpatient primary care clinics between March and May 2020.

Treatment Outcomes in Infections Caused by "SPICE" (Serratia, Pseudomonas, Indole-positive Proteus, Citrobacter, and Enterobacter) Organisms: Carbapenem versus Noncarbapenem Regimens.

Purpose: Techniques used to identify AmpC β-lactamases in SPICE (Serratia, Pseudomonas, indole-positive Proteus, Citrobacter, and Enterobacter) organisms are not yet optimized for the clinical laboratory and are not routinely used. Clinicians are often left with an uncertainty on the choice of antibiotic when a SPICE organism is isolated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of carbapenem versus noncarbapenem regimens in treating bacteremia or urinary tract infection from a SPICE organism in clinical practice.

Ceftazidime-Avibactam: A Novel Cephalosporin/β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combination for the Treatment of Resistant Gram-negative Organisms.

Purpose: Multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections have emerged as a major threat in hospitalized patients. Treatment options are often inadequate and, as a result, these infections are associated with high mortality. A cephalosporin and a novel synthetic non-β-lactam, β-lactamase inhibitor, ceftazidime-avibactam, is approved for the treatment of serious infections caused by resistant gram-negative bacteria.