Mast has launched a new addition to the Mastdiscs stock cartridge range, Ceftolozane/tazobactam 30/10 (C/T40C). Merck has launched the intravenous antibiotic Zerbaxa (ceftolozane/tazobactam) in the UK for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections, acute pyelonephritis and complicated urinary tract infections in nosocominal environments.
Ceftolozane/tazobactam provides an alternative to carbapenems for the treatment of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms. Overuse of carbapenems has been known to contribute to the global dissemination of resistance. Professor David Livermore (University of East Anglia) said: “Ceftolozane/tazobactam is very important because it’s a new antibiotic that treats Gram-negative infections, where a lot of resistance problems are now accumulating. Its activity against Pseudomonas is especially important.
“It overcomes both the major mechanisms (efflux and inactivation) that often compromise other cephalosporins against this difficult species. As always, there’s more to be done, more clinical trials are needed in further settings, particularly those where you find most of the difficult Pseudomonas strains.” Additionally, EUCAST released clinical breakpoints in January for antibiotic susceptibility test discs for ceftolozane/tazobatam 30/10 (C/T40C). These are available from Mast in a stock cartridge format, each pack containing 5 x 50 discs and compatible with Mast’s new DiscMaster 4 dispenser (MDD64).