Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole versus levofloxacin for the treatment of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections: A multicentre cohort study

Background

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) has long been considered the treatment of choice for infections caused by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Levofloxacin has emerged as a potential option for treating these infections. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes in patients who received TMP-SMX versus levofloxacin for treating S. maltophilia infections.

Methods

A retrospective, cohort study was conducted in 4 tertiary centres and included patients who were treated with either TMP-SMX or levofloxacin for infections caused by S. maltophilia. The main study outcomes were overall in-hospital mortality, 30-d mortality, and clinical cure. Safety outcomes were also evaluated. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was used to control for the effect of the covariables.

Results

We included 371 patients in this study, 316 received TMP-SMX and 55 patients received levofloxacin. A total of 70% were in the intensive care unit and 21% presented with bacteraemia. No statistically significant differences were observed in overall in-hospital mortality (52% vs. 40%; P = 0.113; odd ratio [OR], 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89–2.86), 30-d mortality (28% vs. 25%; P = 0.712; OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.59–2.18), or clinical cure (55% vs. 64%; P = 0.237; OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.37–1.31). Rates of acute kidney injury were comparable between the two groups (11% vs. 7%; P = 0.413).

Conclusion

Patients receiving levofloxacin for the treatment of infections caused by S. maltophilia demonstrated clinical outcomes similar to those receiving TMP-SMX. Our study suggests that levofloxacin can be a reasonable alternative to TMP-SMX to treat these infections.