Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs) in Solid Organ Transplants and the Use of New Beta-lactam Antibiotics

Dear Colleagues,

Solid organ transplantation (SOT) has revolutionized the treatment of end-stage organ failure, offering hope and extended life to thousands of patients worldwide. However, the success of transplantation is threatened by the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), which can cause increased morbidity and mortality. These infections can lead to graft loss, sepsis, longer hospital stays, and reduced long-term graft and patient survival. MDROs may also complicate immunosuppressive therapy by limiting antibiotic options and necessitate the application of broad-spectrum agents, which can affect the microbiome and promote further resistance.

Addressing this challenge requires a multifaceted approach, including stringent infection control measures, programs of antimicrobial stewardship, and the development of new antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action. The recent development of novel B-lactam antibiotics, such as ceftazidime-avibactam, cefolozane/tazobactam, and cefiderocol, represents a valuable addition to the antibiotic armamentarium in the treatment of MDRO infections, especially in critically ill patients.

However, these agents need to be thoroughly evaluated and largely experienced in the context of SOT.

This Special Issue aims to explore and improve knowledge regarding the efficacy and safety profiles of these new drugs, considering (i) the drug interactions, side effects, and potential complications associated with immunosuppression; (ii) optimal drug combinations; and (iii) the choice of a first-line empiric therapy.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

1. Epidemiology of MDROs in SOT;
2. Risk factors and outcomes of MDROs in SOT;
3. Antibiotic stewardship in the SOT setting;
4. Management of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in SOT;
5. Monotherapy and association therapy using new beta-lactamase antibiotics;
6. New (other than the last beta-lactamase) therapeutic options against MDROs in SOTs.

Dr. Annamaria Cattelan
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• solid organ transplant
• multidrug-resistant pathogens
• carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacilli
• vancomycin-resistant enterococci
• novel β-lactam antibiotics