Reappraisal of pseudomonas aeruginosa hospital-acquired pneumonia mortality in the era of metallo-B-lactamase-mediated multidrug resistance : a prospective observational study

Abstract

Introduction Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with high mortality rates. The metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) are emerging enzymes that hydrolyze virtually all β-lactams. We aimed to assess P. aeruginosa HAP mortality in a setting of high-rate MBL production Methods A prospective cohort study was performed at two tertiary-care teaching hospitals. A logistic regression model was constructed to identify risk factors for 30-day mortality. Results One-hundred and fifty patients with P. aeruginosa HAP were evaluated. The 30-day mortality was 37.3% (56 of 150): 57.1% (24 of 42) and 29.6% (32 of 108) for patients with HAP by MBL-producing P. aeruginosa and by non-MBL-producing P. aeruginosa, respectively (relative risk, 1.93; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.30–2.85). The logistic regression model identified a higher Charlson comorbidity score (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04–1.41), presentation with severe sepsis or septic shock (odds ratio, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.30–7.72), ventilatorassociated pneumonia (odds ratio, 2.92; 95% CI, 1.18–7.21), and appropriate therapy (odds ratio, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.10–0.61) as independent factors for 30-day mortality. MBL production was not statistically significant in the final model. Conclusion MBL-producing P. aeruginosa HAP resulted in higher mortality rates, particularly in patients with ventilatorassociated pneumonia, most probably related to the less frequent institution of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Therapeutic approaches should be reviewed at institutions with a high prevalence of MBL.