Ceftazidime-avibactam plus metronidazole vs. meropenem in complicated intra-abdominal infections: Indian subset from RECLAIM

Introduction: This study analyzes the safety and efficacy results of the Indian population subset from the RECLAIM trial investigating the non-inferiority of Ceftazidime-Avibactam (CAZ-AVI) plus metronidazole to meropenem and interprets its relevance.

Methodology: The study design, subjects inclusion criteria, dosage, safety and efficacy evaluations in Indian patients have been followed as per the RECLAIM trial protocol.

Results: A total of 142 Indian patients with complicated intra-abdominal infection were enrolled across eight centers in India, 125 of them were randomized to either CAZ-AVI + metronidazole (n = 62) or meropenem (n = 63) group. the clinical cure rates in modified intention-to-treat (MITT; all randomized patients who met minimum disease requirements and received any amount of study drug) and clinically evaluable (CE , patients who had an evaluable assessment and no protocol deviations) analysis sets, was numerically comparable to the results of overall population for CAZ-AVI + metronidazole [MITT: 82.5% (Overall, n = 429/520) versus 89.3% (Indian, n = 50/56); CE: 91.7% (Overall, n = 376/410) versus 97.8% (Indian, n = 45/46)] and meropenem [MITT: 84.9% (Overall, n = 444/523) versus 84.7% (Indian, n = 50/59); CE: 92.5% (Overall, n = 385/416) versus 95.5% (Indian, n = 42/44)]. No new safety findings were reported in the Indian population.

Conclusions: CAZ-AVI + metronidazole proved to be an effective option for critical patients with complicated intra-abdominal infection and can be considered as an alternative to carbapenems in the ICU setting for the treatment of resistant pathogens.