Akari Shigemi

Higher linezolid exposure and higher frequency of thrombocytopenia in patients with renal dysfunction

The major adverse event associated with linezolid treatment is reversible myelosuppression, mostly thrombocytopenia. Recent studies have reported that the incidence of linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia was higher in patients with renal failure than in patients with normal renal function, although the underlying mechanisms of this toxicity are still unknown. The present study thus aimed to investigate the relationship between renal function and linezolid exposure as well as the effects of drug exposure on thrombocytopenia. A statistically significant (P<0.01) strong correlation (r=0.933) was observed between linezolid clearance and creatinine clearance. A negative correlation (r=-0.567) was also shown between linezolid clearance and blood urea nitrogen, although the correlation was not statistically significant. In thrombocytopenic patients, the trough concentration was 14.4-35.6 mg/L and the area under the plasma linezolid concentration-time curve for 24h (AUC(24h)) was 513.1-994.6 mg h/L; in non-thrombocytopenic patients, drug exposure was relatively low (6.9 mg/L and 7.2mg/L for trough concentration and 294.3 mg h/L and 323.6 mg h/L for AUC(24h)). These results provide a pharmacokinetic explanation for the mechanism of the adverse event that renal dysfunction increased linezolid trough concentration and AUC and that higher drug exposure induced thrombocytopenia.

Analysis of thrombocytopenic effects and population pharmacokinetics of linezolid: a dosage strategy according to the trough concentration target and renal function in adult patients

The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) index for the efficacy of linezolid is a 24-h area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC₂₄)/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratio of ≥100. The main adverse event associated with administration of linezolid is thrombocytopenia. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to define PD thresholds that would minimise linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia and to perform a population PK analysis to identify factors influencing the pharmacokinetics of linezolid. Population PK analysis revealed that creatinine clearance (CLCr) significantly affected linezolid pharmacokinetics: the mean parameter estimate of drug clearance (CL; in L/h)=0.0258 × CLCr + 2.03. A strong correlation (r=0.970) was found between AUC₂₄ and trough plasma concentrations (Cmin) [AUC₂₄=18.2 × Cmin + 134.4]. The Cmin value for AUC₂₄=200 (in the case of MIC=2 μg/mL) was estimated to be 3.6 μg/mL. Regarding safety, Cmin was a significant predictor of thrombocytopenia during treatment, and its threshold to minimise linezolid-induced thrombocytopenia was 8.2 μg/mL. A Kaplan-Meier plot revealed that the median time from initiation of therapy to the development of thrombocytopenia was 15 days. Therefore, the target Cmin range was 3.6-8.2 μg/mL. The following formula to achieve a target Cmin in patients with different degrees of renal function was proposed based on these results: initial daily dose (mg/day)=CL × AUC₂₄=(0.0258 × CLCr + 2.03)×(18.2 × Cmin + 134.4). This recommended initial dosage and subsequent dosage adjustment for the target concentration range should avoid adverse events, thereby enabling effective linezolid-based therapies to be continued.

Safety analysis of liposomal amphotericin B in adult patients: anaemia, thrombocytopenia, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and hypokalaemia.

Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB), which was developed to reduce side effects, has been shown to have a better safety profile than both the deoxycholate and lipid complex forms of amphotericin B; however, the frequency of major side effects is still unclear. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess retrospectively the frequency of L-AmB-induced anaemia, thrombocytopenia, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and hypokalaemia as well as the relationship between daily dose of L-AmB and these side effects. A low red blood cell (RBC) count (post-/pre-treatment) and anaemia were observed in 7 and 10 of 21 adult patients, respectively. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 11 of 19 adult patients. Doses of L-AmB that are estimated to cause side effects of a low RBC count, anaemia and thrombocytopenia with 50% probability are 4.0, 3.3 and 3.0mg/kg/day, respectively. Nephrotoxicity was observed in 6 of 22 patients. Variations of total bilirubin, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase used as indices of hepatotoxicity were observed in 6, 7, 8 and 8 of 22 patients, respectively. Hypokalaemia was observed in 4 of 9 patients; however, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and hypokalaemia were not caused in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, the present analyses showed that L-AmB dose-dependently induced anaemia and thrombocytopenia in adult patients. It is important to pay attention to causing anaemia and thrombocytopenia when patients are receiving L-AmB at doses of >3.3mg/kg/day and >3.0mg/kg/day, respectively.

Correlation between meropenem and doripenem use density and the incidence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Optimal use of carbapenems is an important issue in the prevention of resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study, we investigated the correlation between antimicrobial use density (AUD) of carbapenems and imipenem/cilastatin (IPM/CS) or meropenem (MEPM) susceptibility of P. aeruginosa strains. The AUD of five carbapenems [IPM/CS, panipenem/betamipron, biapenem, MEPM and doripenem (DRPM)] was examined every 6 months between 2006 and 2008. The AUD was calculated using the defined daily doses methodology developed by the World Health Organisation. A minimum inhibitory concentration of IPM/CS or MEPM of < or =4 mg/L was considered to be sensitive. There was a significant negative correlation between MEPM susceptibility and the total AUD of MEPM and DRPM [r=-0.823, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.035 to -0.980; P=0.044]. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between MEPM susceptibility and IPM/CS susceptibility (r=0.839, 95% CI 0.084 to 0.981; P=0.037). Cross-resistance was therefore investigated and only 5.6% of MEPM-insensitive strains were susceptible to IPM/CS, although 43.3% of IPM/CS-insensitive strains were susceptible to MEPM. These results suggest that curtailing the use of MEPM and DRPM may curb the emergence not only of MEPM-resistant strains but also IPM/CS-resistant strains.

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis of teicoplanin in patients with MRSA infections

Background Teicoplanin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that has been used to treat serious, invasive infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. The area under the drug concentration–time curve (AUC)/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was identified as a pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) parameter of glycopeptide antibiotics that correlated with bacteriological responses and clinical outcomes. Although optimized dosing regimens based on PK–PD are needed, a PK–PD analysis of teicoplanin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections has not yet been performed. Thus, this study examined patients with MRSA infections, who were administered with teicoplanin in order to determine the target AUC/MIC ratio. Methods This study retrospectively assessed data obtained as part of our routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of teicoplanin therapy in 46 patients with MRSA infections at Kagoshima University Hospital. Serum concentrations of teicoplanin were determined using a fluorescence polarization immunoassay system and used for a Bayesian PK estimation to estimate AUC for 24 hours (AUC24). The MIC value for teicoplanin was determined using a standardized agar dilution method. The effects of teicoplanin were evaluated in terms of bacteriological responses by a quantitative assessment. Results The estimated AUC24/MIC ratios with and without bacteriological responses were 926.6±425.2 µg·h/mL (n=34) and 642.2±193.9 µg·h/mL, respectively (n=12; P<0.05). On the basis of a logistic regression analysis, AUC24/MIC ratios of 500 µg·h/mL, 700 µg·h/mL, and 900 µg·h/mL gave probabilities of treatment success of 0.50, 0.72, and 0.87, respectively. Furthermore, using the Kaplan–Meier curve analysis, an AUC24/MIC ratio of ≥900 led to a significantly stronger bacteriological response than an AUC24/MIC ratio of <900. Conclusion These results suggest that an AUC24/MIC ratio of ≥900 µg·h/mL is required to ensure a sufficient bacteriological response.

Linezolid dosage in pediatric patients based on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

Linezolid pharmacokinetic profile in pediatric patients has not been fully characterized, and the dose needed to achieve a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) target has yet to be established because its efficacy is associated with the area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC24)/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratio. The present study aimed to define the pharmacokinetic parameters of intravenous linezolid in pediatric patients and assess the rationale for the approved dosage recommendations. Linezolid was safe, tolerated well, and clinically effective for treating Gram-positive bacteria in five pediatric patients (3-11 years). The mean values for the volume of distribution and total clearance (CL) in a one-compartment model were estimated to be 0.646 ± 0.239 l/kg and 0.171 ± 0.068 l/h/kg, respectively (mean ± S.D.). Based on this analysis, the AUC24 and trough drug concentration in plasma (C(min)) for linezolid doses were predicted to be 175.4 μg h/ml and 3.4 μg/ml for 30 mg/kg/day, 204.7 μg h/ml and 4.3 μg/ml for 35 mg/kg/day, and 263.2 μg h/ml and 6.2 μg/ml for 45 mg/kg/day, respectively. Taking into account that AUC24 should be ≥ 200 μg h/ml for MIC of 2.0 μg/ml (to achieve an AUC24/MIC ratio of ≥ 100) and C(min) should be approximately 7 μg/ml (to avoid thrombocytopenia), we consider the approved dosage of 30 mg/kg/day to be fundamentally rational, but can be underdosed against bacteria with MIC of 2.0 μg/ml; therefore, a dose of 35-45 mg/kg/day is more appropriate to ensure the efficacy and safety of linezolid in pediatric patients.

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic evaluation of sulbactam against Acinetobacter baumannii in in vitro and murine thigh and lung infection models

Acinetobacter baumannii is a pathogen that has become globally associated with nosocomial infections. Sulbactam, a potent inhibitor of β-lactamases, was previously shown to be active against A. baumannii strains in vitro and effective against A. baumannii infections. However, a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analysis of sulbactam against A. baumannii infections has not yet been performed. This is necessary because optimisation of dosing regimens should be based on PK/PD analysis. Therefore, in vitro and in vivo PK/PD analyses of sulbactam were performed using murine thigh and lung infection models of A. baumannii to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of sulbactam. Sulbactam showed time-dependent bactericidal activity in vitro against A. baumannii. The PK/PD index that best correlated with its in vivo effects was the time that the free drug concentration remained above the minimum inhibitory concentration (fT>MIC) both in the thigh (R(2)=0.95) and lung (R(2)=0.96) infection models. Values of fT>MIC for a static effect and 1, 2 and 3log10 kill, respectively, were 21.0%, 32.9%, 43.6% and 57.3% in the thigh infection model and 20.4%, 24.5%, 29.3% and 37.3% in the lung infection model. Here we report the in vitro and in vivo time-dependent activities of sulbactam against A. baumannii infection and demonstrate that sulbactam was sufficiently bactericidal when an fT>MIC of >60% against A. baumannii thigh infection and >40% against A. baumannii lung infection was achieved.

Risk Factors for Ganciclovir-Induced Thrombocytopenia and Leukopenia

Ganciclovir is a nucleoside guanosine analogue that exhibits therapeutic activity against human cytomegalovirus infection, and is primarily excreted via glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion. The adverse effects induced by ganciclovir therapy are generally of a hematological nature and include thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Low marrow cellularity and elevated serum creatinine have been identified as risk factors for ganciclovir-induced neutropenia. However, the risk factors for thrombocytopenia have yet to be determined. Therefore, this study investigated patients administered ganciclovir to determine the risk factors for thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Thrombocytopenia occurred in 41 of these patients (30.6%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified three independent risk factors for thrombocytopenia: cancer chemotherapy (odds ratio (OR)=3.1), creatinine clearance (<20 mL/min) (OR=12.8), and the ganciclovir dose (≥12 mg/kg/d) (OR=15.1). Leukopenia occurred in 36 patients (28.6%), and white blood cell count (<6000 cells/mm(3)) (OR=3.7) and the ganciclovir dose (≥12 mg/kg/d) (OR=7.8) were identified as risk factors. These results demonstrated that several factors influenced the occurrence of ganciclovir-induced thrombocytopenia and leukopenia, and suggest that special attention should be paid to patients receiving cancer chemotherapy with a low creatinine clearance (<20 mL/min) and high dose (≥12 mg/kg/d) in order to avoid ganciclovir-induced thrombocytopenia.

Therapeutic drug monitoring of voriconazole in Japanese patients: analysis based on clinical practice data

The aim of this study was to investigate whether routine therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of voriconazole (VRCZ) reduced discontinuation due to hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity was observed in 15 (51.7%) out of 29 patients. The percentages of patients who developed hepatotoxicity within 4 days and 1 week were 26.7 and 46.7%, respectively. The drug trough concentrations in patients with and without hepatotoxicity were 5.55 ± 2.73 and 2.36 ± 1.67 μg/ml (P < 0.01, the two-sided Students t-test), respectively. Trough concentrations reached the target of 1–5 μg/ml in patients with gradual dose reductions based on TDM, and, consequently, liver enzyme levels returned to the original levels before the VRCZ treatment. All patients eventually continued effective VRCZ therapy despite its hepatotoxicity. Thus, dose adjustments by TDM to achieve the target trough concentrations is useful in order to avoid hepatotoxicity and enable continued effective VRCZ therapy for Japanese patients with invasive fungal infections.