Novel β-Lactam/β-Lactamase Inhibitors Versus Best Available Therapy on the Mortality-Related Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
In brief
New antibiotic combinations cut deaths from resistant Enterobacterales infections by 27%
Across nine studies of 2,892 hospitalized adults, newer beta-lactam combinations were linked to 27% lower mortality than best available therapy. Benefits varied by resistance mechanism: different drugs performed best against KPC- and OXA-48-producing bacteria, while none showed efficacy against metallo-beta-lactamase producers. Possible publication bias and differing comparator treatments limit certainty, underscoring the need to match therapy to rapid resistance testing.
- Journal
- Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) (Q1)
- Published
- 18 September 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review / meta-analysis of RCTs
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1a)
- Authors
- Basim Raddam Al Shammari
- PMID
- 42792078
- DOI
- 10.3390/antibiotics15090928
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine (paper of the day, 27 September 2026): Meta-analysis of novel BL/BLI vs best therapy for CRE
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections represent a critical global health threat with limited therapeutic options and high mortality rates. Novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor (BL/BLI) combinations have emerged, but their comparative impact on survival versus best available therapy (BAT) remains to be comprehensively assessed. This systematic review evaluates the mechanistic, microbiological, and genetic factors affecting treatment success. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational reports published up to December 2025 were included. An intensive search strategy was conducted through PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases. The trials compared novel BL/BLI agents ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ-AVI), Meropenem/Vaborbactam (MER-VABO), and Imipenem/Cilastatin/Relebactam (IPM-CIL-REL) to BAT for CRE infections that reported all-cause mortality in adult hospitalized patients (≥18 years). Data retrieval included carbapenemase types, resistance mechanisms, and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Risk ratios (RRs), heterogeneity (I2), and publication bias were measured using appropriate statistical models. RESULTS: The meta-analysis included nine primary studies (six RCTs and three observational cohorts) with 2892 CRE-infected patients. Compared to BAT, BL/BLI combinations significantly reduced mortality by 27% (pooled RR = 0.73; 95% Confidence Intervals (CI): 0.59-0.9; p = 0.003), with low heterogeneity (I2 = 38%). Treatment outcomes differed substantially by carbapenemase type. For Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing strains, meropenem-vaborbactam was most effective (RR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.49-0.94), while ceftazidime-avibactam was superior for OXA-48-like producers (RR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.41-0.82). No BL/BLI combination demonstrated efficacy against metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing strains. Among hospitalized high-risk patients (e.g., septic shock), meropenem-vaborbactam (RR = 0.65) and colistin-based therapy (RR = 0.61) were most effective for mortality reduction. Meta-regression proved that the proportion of KPC-producing isolates significantly predicted effect size (coefficient: -0.42, 95% CI: -0.68 to -0.16, p = 0.002). Funnel plot asymmetry indicated possible publication bias (Egger's test p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Innovative BL/BLI combinations lower all-cause mortality compared to BAT. This effect is extremely reliant on the comparator regimen composition, the specific BL/BLI drug, and the underlying resistance mechanism. These data support a precision medicine approach guided by rapid molecular diagnostics. These findings underscore the urgent need for novel agents against MBL-producing strains, including the recently approved aztreonam-avibactam.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.