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BAUSCH + LOMB REPORTS UPDATED RESULTS OF THE ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE MONITORING IN OCULAR MICROORGANISMS (ARMOR) STUDY
Nine-Year Trend Analysis Shows Decreases in Antibiotic Resistance Among Staphylococci
Preliminary 2017 Data Demonstrate Notable Antibiotic Resistance Among Staphylococci and Pneumococci
BRIDGEWATER, N.J., May 2, 2018 – Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health company today announced the results from the ninth consecutive year of the ARMOR (Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring in Ocular MicRoorganisms) surveillance study as presented at the 2018 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii.1 During the meeting, researchers also presented preliminary 2017 surveillance data on antibiotic resistance levels.2 Initiated in 2009, ARMOR is the only multicenter survey of antibiotic resistance patterns specific to ocular pathogens in the United States.
“We're proud to continue to support this important and ongoing study to understand antibiotic resistance – an important area of research for the eye health community,” said Tracy Valorie, general manager, U.S. Pharmaceuticals and Surgical, Bausch + Lomb. “By identifying trends in resistance among common ocular pathogens on a national level, eye care professionals are provided with insights and guidance to make informed decisions to meet the needs of their patients with ocular bacterial infections.”
In the nine-year trend analysis presentation, ARMOR researchers reported resistance trends in staphylococcal infections from January 2009 through October 2017. In total, 1854 Staphylococcus aureus and 1591 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) were collected. The results of the nine-year trend analysis confirmed the previously noted decrease in methicillin resistance (MR) among S. aureus (from 39% to 14%; P<0.001) but not among CoNS (P=0.455), with more than half of CoNS demonstrating continued persistence in MR. Further analysis showed decreased resistance among S. aureus to azithromycin (62% to 52%), ciprofloxacin (39% to 16%), tobramycin (24% to 6%), and chloramphenicol (6.6% to 4.4%), and among CoNS to ciprofloxacin (46% to 22%; P≤0.005 for all). As in previous years, a high proportion of methicillin-resistant staphylococci demonstrated multidrug resistance (≥3 antibiotic classes), although none were vancomycin-resistant.
In the 2017 preliminary update, researchers reported a total of 385 isolates were collected from 19 participating U.S. sites. Among staphylococci, resistance rates generally remained similar to 2016 rates, with considerable resistance to azithromycin (54-66%), oxacillin/methicillin (14-56%), and ciprofloxacin (16-22%). CoNS isolates also exhibited resistance to tobramycin (18%) and trimethoprim (26%). Isolates of S. pneumoniae were resistant to azithromycin (32%) and penicillin (36%) with no resistance to tested fluoroquinolones and chloramphenicol. Resistance to ≥3 antibiotic classes (multidrug resistance; MDR) was observed in 11% of S. aureus and 41% of CoNS, with MDR remaining prevalent among methicillin-resistant isolates (59-65%). All isolates of P. aeruginosa were susceptible to tested fluoroquinolones, with 8% exhibiting intermediate resistance to polymyxin B. No resistance to tested drugs was observed among H. influenzae isolates.
"This is the only annual nationwide surveillance of ocular pathogens that eye care professionals have to track actual susceptibility rates for commonly used antibiotics,” said Penny A. 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. "Monitoring changes in resistance trends over time is important and can directly affect how we, as eye care professionals, select an appropriate topical antibacterial treatment for patients.”
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 over-the-counter supplements, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Bausch + Lomb develops, manufactures and markets one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry, which is available in more than 100 countries.
References
1. Asbell, Penny A.; Sanfilippo, Christine M; Cavet, Megan E.; DeCory, Heleen H. “Antibiotic Resistance Trends Among Staphylococci in the ARMOR Study: 2009-2017.” [The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting in Honolulu, HI, on Tuesday, May 1, 3:30-5:15, Session 313, Poster 3676 - A0360].
2. Sanfilippo, Christine M.; Cavet, Megan E.; DeCory, Heleen H.; Asbell, Penny A. “Antibiotic Resistance in Ocular Pathogens – Preliminary Results from the 2017 ARMOR Surveillance Program.” [The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting in Honolulu, HI, on Tuesday, May 1, 8:15-10:00, Session 376, Poster 2659 – A0386].
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Dr. Penny Asbell receives financial compensation as an advisory board member for Bausch + Lomb.
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