In vitro antibiotic effects of drug combinations against colistin-heteroresistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Objective To evaluate the in vitro antibiotic effects of colistin combined with meropenem, levofloxacin or fosfomycin against colistin-heteroresistant Acinetobacter baumannii (A.baumannii). Methods A total of 576 A. baumannii clinical isolates were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from 2014 to 2015. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of colistin against A. baumannii were detected by broth dilution method. Colistin-heteroresistant A. baumannii isolates were screened using population analysis profiles (PAPs). MICs of colistin combined with meropenem, levofloxacin or fosfomycin, and the four drugs used alone against colistin-heteroresistant A. baumannii were detected by checkerboard method and broth dilution method. Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was calculated to evaluate antibiotic effects. Results None of the 576 A. baumannii isolates was resistant to colistin as indicated by the broth dilution method. Nine colistin-heteroresistant A. baumannii isolates were identified using PAPs. Compared with the MICs of colistin used alone, the MICs of colistin used in combination with meropenem, levofloxacin or fosfomycin against colistin-heteroresistant isolates were all decreased. Colistin-meropenem combination showed synergistic (55.6%), additive (33.3%) and indifferent effects (11.1%), but no antagonistic effect. Colistin-levofloxacin combination showed synergistic (55.6%), additive (22.2%) and indifferent effects (22.2%), but no antagonistic effect. Colistin-fosfomycin combination showed synergistic (77.8%) and additive (22.2%) effects, but no indifferent or antagonistic effect. Conclusion In vitro use of colistin in combination with meropenem, levofloxacin or fosfomycin has synergistic and additive antibacterial effects against colistin-heteroresistant A. baumannii. Combinations of colistin-meropenem and colistin-levofloxacin have fewer indifferent effects and no antagonistic effect. Key words: Colistin; Heteroresistance; Acinetobacter baumannii; Drug combination