Use of Cefiderocol for Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Infections in Hospital at Home: Multicentric Real-World Experience

Abstract

Background: Cefiderocol (CFD) is a novel cephalosporin targeting multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial (GNB) infections. It mimics siderophores to enter into GNB through iron transport receptors. However, evidence on its use in Hospital at Home (HaH) and outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) programs remains scarce. Objectives: The primary objective was to evaluate feasibility and efficacy of CFD in HaH setting. The secondary objective was to assess its safety. Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted across six Spanish centers between January 2023 and December 2024. Adult patients with documented GNB infections treated with CFD in HaH units were included. Demographic, clinical and microbiological data, treatment characteristics, and outcomes were collected. Statistical analysis was descriptive; no inferential or correlation tests were performed. Results: 27 patients were included; 70.4% were male, with a median age of 69 years. Most infections were nosocomial (65.4%), particularly skin and soft tissue (37%). Septic shock occurred in 14.8% of patients. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (66.7%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.8%) were the most frequent pathogens involved, with Verona Integron-encoded metallo-B-lactamase (VIM, 50%) being the predominant resistance mechanism. CFD was used as a first-line therapy in 63% of cases and in combination with other antibiotics in 40.7%. Median treatment duration was 21.7 days. Administration was mainly via peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC, 33.3%) and electronic pumps (52%). Adverse effects occurred in 7.4% of patients, leading to discontinuation in one case. A total of 88.8% of patients achieved clinical success, with 7.7% recurrence within a month. Escalation of care occurred in 7.7% and 19.2% were readmitted within a month after HaH discharge. No infection-related deaths were reported. Conclusions: CFD is a feasible, safe, and effective treatment for difficult-to-treat GNB infections in HaH settings.