Pharmacodynamic interaction of apotransferrin and anti-pseudomonal antibiotics against extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a dynamic PK/PD model

The rise of antibiotic resistance in clinical settings poses a major challenge. Apotransferrin has emerged as a potential non-traditional therapy for combating infections, potentially preventing resistance development while enhancing bactericidal effects. This study evaluated the efficacy of apotransferrin combined with antipseudomonal antibiotics against extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. Twenty XDR P. aeruginosa clinical isolates were evaluated. Different apotransferrin concentrations were tested to determine the optimal in vitro concentration. Time-kill assays assessed the combined effects of apotransferrin with meropenem or ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T). A chemostat model using four selected isolates validated the most effective combinations and monitored resistance emergence. Apotransferrin monotherapy did not reduce bacterial load, but its combination with antipseudomonal antibiotics enhanced efficacy. Meropenem activity improved in 10/20 isolates, and C/T activity in 13/20 compared to antibiotic monotherapy. The chemostat model confirmed synergistic interactions between apotransferrin and C/T in two isolates, with additive effects in two others. This combination outperformed the most effective monotherapy in all isolates, with no emergence of new C/T-resistant strains. In conclusion, the combination of apotransferrin with C/T demonstrated superior in vitro efficacy against XDR P. aeruginosa isolates compared to either treatment alone. These findings suggest that apotransferrin could be a valuable adjunctive therapy, enhancing the antimicrobial effects of existing antibiotics and potentially extending their clinical utility.