1245 - In Vivo Efficacy of WCK 4282 (High Dose Cefepime [FEP]-Tazobactam [TZB]) Against β-Lactamase-Producing (BLP) Gram-Negative Bacteria in a Neutropenic Murine Pneumonia Model

Background: Carbapenems are often used for Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and cephalosporinase (AmpC or CMY)-producing infections. Their increased use resulted in the emergence of carbapenem resistance among Gram-negatives, promoting the need of an effective carbapenem-sparing option. WCK 4282 (FEP 2g-TZB 2g) maximizes systemic exposure of TZB and restores FEP activity against piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) resistant isolates in vitro. Herein we describe the efficacy of WCK 4282 clinical exposures against BLP Enterobacterales (EB) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) in a murine pneumonia model.

Methods: Clinical isolates (14 EB and 2 PA) with in vitro resistance to FEP, ceftolozane-tazobactam, and TZP (EB isolates) were used. Isolates expressed ESBLs, AmpC/CMY, and/or serine carbapenemases (KPC, OXA-48-like). WCK 4282 MICs were 4-16 and 8-32 mg/L for non-carbapenemase and carbapenemase-producers, respectively. Human-simulated regimens (HSR) of FEP (mimicking human plasma exposure of 2g q8h as a 1.5 h infusion) alone and in combination with TZB (equivalent to 2g q8h as a 1.5 h infusion) were developed in a neutropenic pneumonia model. Treatment mice received FEP or FEP-TZB (WCK 4282) HSR. Control mice were vehicle-dosed. Efficacy was assessed as change in log₁₀CFU/lung at 24 h compared with 0 h controls.

Results: Mean 0 h bacterial density across all isolates was 6.66 ± 0.29 log₁₀CFU/lung and increased at 24 h by 2.48 ± 0.6 and 1.71 ± 1.13 among controls and FEP-treated groups, respectively. Potent WCK 4282 activity was observed against ESBL- and AmpC-harboring EB as well as ESBL- and AmpC-overexpressing PA with WCK 4282 MICs up to 16 mg/L (n=9); mean bacterial reductions were -2.70 ± 0.63 and -2.04 ± 0.18 log₁₀CFU/lung, respectively. WCK 4282 showed variable activity against OXA-48-producing EB (n=3); log₁₀CFU/lung change ranged from -1.2 to 0.28. Against KPC-producers (n=4), WCK 4282 groups grew to 0.53 ± 1.07 log₁₀CFU/lung, ~1.2 log₁₀CFU lower than FEP.

Conclusion: WCK 4282 produced potent in vivo activity against ESBL- and AmpC-harboring Gram-negative isolates and limited activity among serine carbapenamase-producers in a pneumonia model at clinically achievable exposures. Further studies are warranted to delineate WCK 4282’s spectrum of activity and susceptibility breakpoint.