Aztreonam

Aztreonam is the only clinically available member of a unique class of beta-lactam antibiotics called ‘monobactams’. As such, it is structurally related to the other beta-lactams: penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems (e.g. imipenem, meropenem).

Its spectrum of activity is specific to Gram negative organisms, including Haemophilus influenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Reports from the United states suggest over 88% of strains of P. aeruginosa from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are susceptible to aztreonam (Shawar et al 1999). Activity against Burkholderia cepacia complex is variable but activity against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Alcaligenes xylosoxidans is generally poor. It has no anti-Gram positive activity and therefore has no role in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA) or Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Pharmacokinetic studies in adult patients without CF indicate that a dose of 2g gives levels of aztreonam in lung tissue above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of susceptibile strains of P. aeruginosa for at least three hours. Further studies in children with CF indicate that a dosage of 200mg/kg/day in four divided doses would be predicted to maintain serum concentrations above the MIC of P. aeruginosa for the majority of the dosing interval (Reed et al, 1986).

There have been trials assessing the efficacy of aztreonam in treating pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis but they are somewhat limited.

1. A non-comparative study was reported whereby 25 evaluable patients received 200mg/kg/day aztreonam in four divided doses (Bosso et al, 1987). Of 57 isolates of P. aeruginosa collected pre-therapy, 48 (84%) were aztreonam-susceptible in vitro, as were 11 (61%) of 18 after therapy. P. aeruginosa colony counts were reduced by 3 log 10 or more in 15 patients. Clinical scores and white cell counts were significantly improved (p < 0.05).

2. A randomised, controlled trial of aztreonam monotherapy versus tobramycin plus azlocillin was reported in 30 patients (Bosso & Black, 1988). There were 15 patients randomised to each arm. Patients in both groups responded to therapy and there were no significant differences in terms of pulmonary function tests, clinical scores, white cell counts or quantitative bacteriology of sputum.

3. A randomised, controlled trial of aztreonam plus amikacin versus ceftazidime plus amikacin was reported for 56 exacerbations in 42 patients (Schaad et al, 1989). The aztreonam dose used was 300mg/kg/day; maximum daily dose 12g. Both regimens were well tolerated and resulted in similar improvements in clinical, bacteriologic, radiologic and laboratory findings, and pulmonary function.

4. A randomised, double-blind comparison of ceftazidime and aztreonam monotherapy was performed in 22 adults with CF (Salh et al, 1992). Twenty two treatment courses were evaluable. Both agents demonstrated significant improvement in FEV1 (aztreonam p <0.01; ceftazidime p < 0.05) and decline in sputum weight at two weeks.

Aztreonam is generally well tolerated. Commonly reported problems include transient, reversible rises in liver enzymes during therapy. As it is a beta-lactam antibiotic there is the possibility of beta-lactam allergy, ranging from rashes to anaphylaxis. However, the incidence of allergic phenomena with aztreonam is reported to be less than for many other beta-lactams. Koch et al (1991) reported an evaluation of 2,793 courses of treatment involving beta-lactams in 121 CF patients. The rates of allergic reactions were 51% of patients for piperacillin, 21% azlocillin, 13% ceftazidime, 6.5% aztreonam and 4% for imipenem. CF patients with severe hypersensitivity reactions to other beta-lactams have successfully tolerated courses of aztreonam. Jensen et al (1991) gave 56 courses of aztreonam to 15 patients with known severe beta-lactam allergy. No episodes of anaphylaxis were reported and in only two patients the aztreonam was discontinued because of drug-associated fever. Moss et al (1991) treated 18 patients with known beta-lactam allergy with aztreonam. Only one suffered from bronchospasm. The others successfully completed therapy. However, two of these subsequent suffered anaphylactic reactions to aztreonam on re-exposure.

Key points

• Active against H. influenzae and aztreonam-susceptible strains of P. aeruginosa
• Results of small trials suggest equivalence to other other anti-pseudomonal beta-lactams (e.g. ceftazidime, azlocillin) in treating pulmonary exacerbations of CF
• Transient, reversible rises in liver function tests are common during therapy
• Less likely to trigger allergic reactions than most other beta-lactams. Often tolerated by patients known to have hypersensitivity reaction to penicillins and cephalosporins.

References

Bosso JA, Black PG. Controlled trial of aztreonam versus tobramycin and azlocillin for acute pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1988; 7: 171-176. [PubMed]

Bosso JA, Black PG, Matsen JM. Efficacy of aztreonam in pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1987; 6: 393-397. [PubMed]

Jensen T, Pedersen SS, Hoiby N, et al. Safety of aztreonam in patients with cystic fibrosis and allergy to beta-lactam antibiotics. Rev Infect Dis 1991; 13, Suppl 7: S594-597. [PubMed]

Koch C, Hjelt K, Pedersen SS, et al. Retrospective clinical study of hypersensitivity reactions to aztreonam and six other beta-lactam antibiotics in cystic fibrosis patients receiving multiple treatment courses. Rev Infect Dis 1991; 13, Suppl, 7: S608-611. [PubMed]

Moss RB, McClelland E. Williams RR, et al. Evaluation of the immunologic cross-reactivity of aztreonam in patients with cystic fibrosis who are allergic to penicillin and/or cephalosporin antibiotics. Rev Infect Dis 1991; 13, Suppl 7: S598-607. [PubMed]

Reed MD, Aronoff SC, Stern RC, et al. Single-dose pharmacokinetics of aztreonam in children with cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Pulmonol1986; 2: 282286. [PubMed]

Salh B, Bilton D, Dodd M, et al. A comparison of aztreonam and ceftazidime in the treatment of respiratory infections in adults with cystic fibrosis. Scand J Infect Dis 1992; 24: 215-218. [PubMed]

Schaad UB, Wedgwood-Krucko J, Guenin K, et al. Antipseudomonal therapy in cystic fibrosis: aztreonam and amikacin versus ceftazidime and amikacin administered intravenously followed by oral ciprofloxacin. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 1989; 8: 858-865. [PubMed]

Shawar RM, MacLeod DL, Garber RL, et al. Activities of tobramycin and six other antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from patients with cystic fibrosis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1999; 43: 2877-2880. [PubMed]