Efficacy of Combination Therapies for the Treatment of Multi-Drug Resistant Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections Based on Meta-Analyses
Takumi Umemura, Hideo Kato, Mao Hagihara, Jun Hirai, Yuka Yamagishi, Hiroshige Mikamo
Abstract
There is increasing evidence regarding the optimal therapeutic strategies for multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria that cause common infections and are resistant to existing antibiotics. Combination therapies, such as β-lactam combined with β-lactamase inhibitors or combination antibiotics, is a therapeutic strategy to overcome MDR bacteria. In recent years, the therapeutic options have expanded as certain combination drugs have been approved in more countries. However, only a handful of guidelines support these options, and the recommendations are based on low-quality evidence. This review describes the significance and efficacy of combination therapy as a therapeutic strategy against Gram-negative MDR pathogens based on previously reported meta-analyses.