Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections: Current status on first-line therapy and other treatment options - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #multidrug resistance
- #Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
- #co-trimoxazole
- Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic pathogen causing hospital-acquired infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
- The bacterium is naturally multidrug-resistant due to intrinsic and acquired mechanisms, making infections difficult to treat.
- Co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) is the first-line therapy, but resistance rates vary globally from <5% to 44%.
- Resistance mechanisms include horizontal gene transfer (sul and dfrA genes), genetic mutations, and efflux system overexpression (SmeVWX, SmeDEF).
- Improper antimicrobial use contributes to resistance by exerting selection pressure.
- Co-trimoxazole remains clinically effective, often used alone or in combination with minocycline, tigecycline, cefiderocol, or levofloxacin.