Bausch + Lomb Reports Updated Results of the Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring in Ocular MicRoorganisms (ARMOR) Study
Preliminary 2016 ARMOR Surveillance Data Show Continued High Levels of Resistance
Eight-Year Trend Analysis Shows Significant Changes in Antibiotic Resistance
Among Staphylococci from the ARMOR Study
FOR RELEASE WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2017
BALTIMORE, MD — Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health company, today announced updated results from the ARMOR (Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring in Ocular MicRoorganisms) surveillance study, the only multi-center, nationwide survey of antibiotic resistance patterns specific to eye care, at the 2017 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD. At the meeting, researchers presented preliminary 2016 surveillance data on antibiotic resistance levels,1 in addition to an eight year trend analysis of antibiotic resistance among staphylococcal isolates.2
In updated surveillance data, a total of 359 isolates were collected from eleven participating U.S. sites. Haemophilus influenzae isolates collected to date from 2016 were susceptible to all antibiotics tested. Although resistance among Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates continued to be low, data indicate that non-susceptibility to fluoroquinolones (7%) more than doubled from 2015. Isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae exhibited non-susceptibility to azithromycin (31%) and penicillin (38%) while remaining susceptible to fluoroquinolones and chloramphenicol. Among all staphylococci, resistance was most notable for azithromycin (47-63%), oxacillin/methicillin (27-43%), and ciprofloxacin (25-30%). Non-susceptibility to three or more drug classes was observed in 24% of Staphylococcus aureus and 36% of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) isolates collected in 2016, with multi-drug resistance remaining prevalent among methicillin-resistant (MR) S. aureus (70%) and MRCoNS (77%).
In a second study, ARMOR researchers reported resistance trends in staphylococcal infections from January 2009 through October 2016. In total, 1597 S. aureus and 1400 CoNS were collected. Results confirmed that methicillin resistance is decreasing among S. aureus (39% to 27%; P<0.001), but not among CoNS, with nearly half of CoNS still demonstrating methicillin resistance. Further analysis showed decreased resistance among S. aureus to azithromycin (62% to 47%), ciprofloxacin (39% to 25%), and tobramycin (24% to 9%), and among CoNS to ciprofloxacin (46% to 30%; P<0.001 for all), while there was increased resistance among CoNS to trimethoprim (26% to 37%; P=0.015). As in previous years, a high proportion of methicillin-resistant staphylococci demonstrated multi-drug resistance (≥3 antibiotic classes), although no staphylococci demonstrated vancomycin resistance.
“This latest data demonstrate that while decreases in resistance are being observed, resistance to several commonly used antibiotics continues to be a challenge,” said Penny Asbell, M.D., lead ARMOR study author, professor of Ophthalmology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and director of the Cornea Service and Refractive Surgery Center at The Mount Sinai Hospital. “Understanding these resistance trends can help eye care professionals ensure that their patients are matched with effective treatments and potentially avoid sight-threatening ocular infections.”
ARMOR, now in its ninth year, is the only nationwide study that monitors antimicrobial resistance in ocular infections.
“We are proud to continue to support this important study, as the data will help physicians make appropriate treatment decisions for their patients,” said Cal Roberts, M.D., chief medical officer, Bausch + Lomb.
About Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb, a Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. company, is a leading global eye health organization that is solely focused on protecting, enhancing, and restoring people’s eyesight. Its core businesses include ophthalmic pharmaceuticals; contact lenses and lens care products, and ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. We globally develop, manufacture and market one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in our industry, which are available in more than 100 countries.
References
1. Sanfilippo, Christine M.; DeCory, Heleen H.; Sahm, Daniel F.; Asbell, Penny A. “Antibiotic Resistance in Ocular Pathogens – An Update from the 2016 ARMOR Surveillance Program.” [The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD, on Sunday, May 7, 3:15 – 5:00 ET, Session 160, Poster 1083 – B0371].
2. DeCory, Heleen H.; Sanfilippo, Christine M; Asbell, Penny A. “Eight-Year Longitudinal Trends in Methicillin Resistance and Resistance to Other Antibiotics Among Staphylococci From the ARMOR Surveillance Study.” [The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD, on Wednesday, May 10, 8:30-10:15 ET, Session 417, Poster 3874 – A0045].
Dr. Penny Asbell receives financial compensation as an advisory board member for Bausch + Lomb.
Any product/brand names and/or logos are trademarks of the respective owners.
© 2017 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. NPR.0173.USA.17
News Media Contacts:
Kristy Marks
Director, Corporate Communications, Bausch + Lomb
(908) 927-0683 or kristy.marks@bausch.com
Don Murphy
Zeno Group, on behalf of Bausch + Lomb
(212) 299-8970 or don.murphy@zenogroup.com
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