A major challenge in treating patients is the selection of the "right" antibiotic regimen. Given that the optimal beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor pair is dependent upon the spectrum of beta-lactamase enzymes produced and the frequency of resistance to the beta-lactamase inhibitor, it might be useful if a stand-alone were available for the clinician to pair with the "right" beta-lactam rather than only in a fixed combination. We describe herein a one-compartment in vitro infection model studies conducted to identify the magnitudes of the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) index for a beta-lactamase inhibitor, CB-618, that would restore the activity of four beta-lactam partner agents (cefepime, ceftazidime, ceftolozane, and meropenem) with various doses (1 or 2 g) and dosing intervals (8 or 12 h). The challenge panel included Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 5), Escherichia coli (n = 2), and Enterobacter cloacae (n = 1) strains, which produced a wide variety of beta-lactamase enzymes (AmpC, CTXM-15, KPC-2, KPC-3, FOX-5, OXA-1/30, OXA-48, SHV-1, SHV-11, SHV-27, and TEM-1). Free-drug human concentration-time profiles were simulated for each agent, and specimens were collected for drug concentration and bacterial density determinations. CB-618 restored the activity of each beta-lactam partner. The magnitudes of the CB-618 ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h to the MIC (i.e., the AUC/MIC ratio) associated with net bacterial stasis and 1- and 2-log(10) CFU/ml reductions from baseline at 24 h were 11.2, 32.9, and 136.3, respectively. These data may provide a PK-PD basis for the development of a stand-alone beta-lactamase inhibitor.
