Efficacy and safety of combined intraventricular/intrathecal and intravenous polymyxin B for postsurgical neurosurgical infections due to MDR/XDR-GNB: a retrospective cohort study
摘要
Intracranial infections caused by multidrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR/XDR-GNB) represent a significant challenge in neurosurgical critical care, with limited effective treatment options. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intraventricular/intrathecal (IVT/ITH) and intravenous polymyxin B in patients with post-neurosurgical MDR/XDR-GNB intracranial infections, focusing on long-term outcomes and neurotoxicity.
MethodsThis multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted across seven hospitals in the West China region between December 2019 and June 2021. Patients with culture-confirmed MDR/XDR-GNB intracranial infection were enrolled and divided into two groups based on whether they received IVT/ITH polymyxin B. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality, with secondary outcomes including pathogen clearance rate, neurological status at discharge, and adverse events. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate treatment effects.
ResultsA total of 70 patients were included, with 24 in the IVT/ITH group and 46 in the control group. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. The most common pathogens isolated were Acinetobacter baumannii (67.1%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (24.3%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.3%), with 98.6% of isolates susceptible to polymyxin B. IVT/ITH polymyxin B was associated with significantly improved 90-day survival (adjusted HR 0.50; 95% CI 0.26–0.98) and higher pathogen clearance rates (58.3% vs. 26.7%, p < 0.001). No significant differences in adverse effects, including neurotoxicity, were observed between groups, although a trend toward higher seizure incidence was noted in the IVT/ITH group.
ConclusionIVT/ITH and intravenous administration of polymyxin B significantly improved long-term survival and microbial clearance in patients with MDR/XDR-GNB intracranial infections, with a favorable safety profile. These findings support its use as a promising therapeutic strategy in resource-limited settings where this combined local-systemic regimen is not feasible.
Trail registrationThis study was approved by the Ethics Committee of West China Hospital, approval number 278.