A position paper for the diagnosis and management of infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria

Management of patients with infections caused by multidrug resistant organisms is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach to achieve successful clinical outcomes. The aim of this position paper is to provide recommendations for the diagnosis and the optimal management of these infections, with a focus on targeted antibiotic therapy.

The document was produced by a panel of experts nominated by the five endorsing Italian societies: the Italian Association of Clinical Microbiologists (AMCLI), the Italian Group for Antimicrobial Stewardship (GISA), Italian Society of Microbiology (SIM), the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases (SIMIT), and the Italian Society of Anti-Infective Therapy (SITA). PICO questions about microbiological diagnosis, pharmacological strategies, and targeted antibiotic therapy were addressed for the pathogens: carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.