Infect Dis Ther. 2025 Apr;14(4):765-791. doi: 10.1007/s40121-025-01125-2. Epub 2025 Mar 19.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Intravenous fosfomycin (FOS) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic primarily used in combination therapy to treat severe infections caused by both Gram-positive (GP) and Gram-negative (GN) pathogens, including multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The aim of this study, the largest to date, was to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, usage patterns, and patient characteristics of FOS in a real-world setting.
METHODS: Interim analysis of an ongoing, prospective, non-interventional, multicentre study in five European countries, involving centres in Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Greece, and Austria.
RESULTS: A total of 716 patients were enrolled between January 2017 and November 2023 (mean age: 62.8 years, APACHE II: 18.3, SOFA: 6.7). Main indications for FOS were bacteraemia/sepsis (23.6%), complicated urinary tract infections (18.0%), and bone and joint infections (17.4%). Other indications included hospital-acquired/ventilator-associated pneumonia (11.0%), complicated skin and soft tissue infections (9.1%), bacterial meningitis/central nervous system (CNS) infections (7.8%), and infective endocarditis (6.4%). Most common pathogens identified were Staphylococcus aureus (31.4%, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus), Klebsiella spp. (including K. pneumoniae) (17.2%), Escherichia coli (14.2%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (12.9%), other Enterobacterales (10.9%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.4%). In 34.6% of patients, an MDR pathogen was involved. Carbapenem resistance (CR) was high in Klebsiella spp. infections (59/123, 48.0%). In most patients, FOS was used in combination therapy (90.2%). The median dose was 15 g/day. Overall, clinical success and clinical response were favourable with 75.3% and 83.4% at the end of FOS treatment. Clinical success rates in infections caused by MDR or CR pathogens were 78.0% and 81.8%, respectively. Microbiological cure was achieved in 82.4% of all patients. Electrolyte imbalances were the most frequently observed adverse drug reactions, while gastrointestinal disorders were rare.
CONCLUSION: The results from this study suggest that FOS is a safe and effective option as combination partner in the treatment of patients with severe infections caused by both GP and GN pathogens, including deep-seated infections and/or involvement of MDR bacteria.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02979951.
PMID:40106180 | PMC:PMC11993532 | DOI:10.1007/s40121-025-01125-2