Yasuhiro Tsuji

Correlation between serum linezolid concentration and the development of thrombocytopenia

Abstract We evaluated the possible association between trough linezolid (LZD) concentrations and platelet counts using a dose–response curve with a logit model equation. We demonstrated that trough LZD concentrations correlated with platelet counts. A significant decrease in platelet count was observed in patients with trough LZD concentrations higher than 22.1 μg/ml.

Pharmacokinetics of repeated dosing of linezolid in a hemodialysis patient with chronic renal failure.

Linezolid (LZD) is thought not to require dose adjustment in patients with renal dysfunction, making it a drug of choice for these patients. However, in the current study we show LZD accumulation occurring with repeated dosing during hemodialysis in a 64-year-old man receiving hemodialysis treatment. In this patient, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) caused an abscess under the abdominal wall due to wound infection after colon cancer surgery. Treatment was initiated with intravenous LZD (600 mg) every 12 h. However, pancytopenia and liver dysfunction occurred during the LZD administration period. A high trough level, of 15–20 μg/ml, during LZD administration was determined from stored blood biochemistry samples, and pharmacokinetic parameters, estimated by the Bayesian nonlinear least squares method, were as follows: clearance (CL), 1.56 l/h; clearance during hemodialysis (CLHD), 2.23 l/h; volume of distribution (Vd), 18.69 l; and area under the curve (AUC), 384.07 μg/ml · h. Simulation of the serum concentration-time profile from the estimated pharmacokinetic parameters gave a trough level about four to five times higher than that in healthy individuals in the early administration period, indicating LZD accumulation in blood. These findings suggest a causal relationship between the high LZD level and the adverse effects. The cause of the high LZD level is unclear, but the findings indicate that careful monitoring and dose adjustment of LZD is necessary in hemodialysis patients.

Methotrexate Chronotherapy is Effective Against Rheumatoid Arthritis

Methotrexate (MTX) is the most important drug for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It has been stated that cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA, and that cytokine levels increase and show 24-h rhythms in RA patients. Previously, we found that arthritis was relieved after the administration of MTX at specific times in synchronization with the 24-h rhythm of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) animals. Based on our findings in an earlier study of the dosing time–dependent effects of MTX in MRL/lpr mice, which develop autoimmune disorders that share similarities with human RA, we examined here the utility of MTX chronotherapy in Japanese RA patients. In an initial animal modeling study, we collected blood from MRL/lpr mice at different times (2, 6, 10, 14, 18, or 22 hours after the light was turned on [HALO]), and we measured TNF-α mRNA expression in leukocytes. MTX was administered to the mice at two different dosing times (6 or 18 HALO), and various blood parameters were measured to estimate arthritis activity. TNF-α mRNA levels showed a clear 24-h rhythm with a peak at 22 HALO and a trough at 18 HALO after RA had developed. In these MRL/lpr mice, inflammation and TNF-α were markedly reduced when the MTX dosing time was matched to the time (18 HALO) when the TNF-α level began to increase. We then applied these findings to Japanese RA patients by switching them from the standard MTX three times/wk (day 1: after breakfast and supper; day 2: after breakfast schedule), to chronotherapy, in which the dose and number of doses/wk were not changed but MTX was administered once-a-day at bedtime. Disease Activity Score (DAS)28, modified health assessment questionnaire (MHAQ), and adverse effects were assessed. With MTX chronotherapy, DAS28, which is commonly used to quantitatively assess RA symptoms, was significantly improved at all follow-up clinical visit times compared with the baseline (vs. 1 mo: p = .0197, 2 mos: p = .0107, 3 mos: p = .0087). Significant symptom recovery was observed in 41.2% of patients, and 23.5% of patients achieved clinical remission during the 3 mos of follow-up. Functional capacity of RA patients, as indicated by the MHAQ, was markedly improved by chronotherapy. There were no severe adverse effects. Thus, we demonstrated (i) inflammation and plasma TNF-α concentrations were significantly reduced in MRL/lpr mice treated with MTX at 18 HALO, the time when TNF-α mRNA level began to increase; and (ii) MTX bedtime chronotherapy was safe, markedly reduced disease activity, and improved the functional capacity of RA patients. The findings on RA patients show that bedtime MTX chronotherapy can improve RA symptoms compared to the current standard dosing methods. (Author correspondence: hide-to@umin.net)

Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of linezolid in an obese Japanese patient

Abstract We evaluated the pharmacokinetics of linezolid in the case of an obese Japanese patient (body weight 116 kg; body mass index 37 kg/m2). Linezolid was administered at a dose of 600 mg by intravenous drip infusion for 60–90 min at 12-h intervals. The results showed increased clearance of linezolid and a reduced serum concentration compared to population pharmacokinetic parameters, with trough levels below the 90% minimum inhibitory concentration. However, linezolid was effective for improving lung infection and inflammation in our patient, which may be due to its particularly effective transfer into lung tissues. Linezolid undergoes slow non-enzymatic oxidation in vivo that may be increased in obese patients, and this may account for the greater clearance. Our findings are useful for the planning of linezolid therapy in obese patients.

Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Linezolid in Low Body Weight Patients with Renal Dysfunction

Linezolid has antibacterial activity against aerobic Gram‐positive cocci, including methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Adjustment of the dose of linezolid has been proposed to be unnecessary in patients with reduced renal function. However, platelet counts and hemoglobin levels were shown to be significantly lower in such patients than in patients with normal renal function. The population pharmacokinetic (PPK) of linezolid was investigated in MRSA infected patients with renal dysfunction. Linezolid concentrations in serum were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography. PPK analysis was performed in the nonlinear mixed effects model (NONMEM) computer program. In the final PPK model, total body weight (TBW), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hemoglobin (HB), and alanine amino transferase (ALT) were influential covariates on total body clearance (CL), and the volume of distribution (Vd) was affected by TBW, which was expressed as CL (L/h) = 0.00327 × TBW × eGFR0.428 × HB0.502 × 0.283 (ALT ≥ 100 IU/L) and CL (L/h) = 0.00327 × TBW × eGFR0.428 × HB0.502 (ALT < 100 IU/L), Vd (L) = 1.310 × TBW. The PPK parameters of linezolid obtained here are useful for the optimal use of linezolid with similar patient population characteristics.

Japanese antimicrobial consumption surveillance: First report on oral and parenteral antimicrobial consumption in Japan (2009–2013)

No reliable national antimicrobial consumption data have been available in Japan. The Japanese antimicrobial consumption surveillance (JACS) project started to collect data nationwide on antimicrobial consumption. This paper provides the first sales data from the JACS project on oral and parenteral antimicrobial consumption in Japan as well as the trends for the years from 2009 to 2013. The population-weighted total consumption was expressed as defined daily doses (DDDs) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID). The value of DID increased from 14.7 in 2009 to 15.8 in 2013. Notably, oral antimicrobials accounted for 92.6% (mean of 2009, 2011 and 2013) of total consumption. Oral third-generation cephalosporins, macrolides and fluoroquinolones accounted for 77.1% (mean of 2009, 2011 and 2013) of oral consumption. Consumption of antimicrobials has increased during the years 2009 and 2013 regardless of the dosage form. This is the first report regarding the population-weighted consumption of oral and parenteral antimicrobials in Japan during the years 2009 and 2013. These results provide useful information for combating the menace of antimicrobial resistance in Japan.

Influence of Linezolid Clearance on the Induction of Thrombocytopenia and Reduction of Hemoglobin

Introduction:Although linezolid (LZD) has proven effective for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-positive cocci, thrombocytopenia and anemia associated with reduced hemoglobin (Hb) levels are common side effects. To study the association between the development of these adverse effects and blood LZD levels, the authors evaluated the correlation between LZD clearance (LZD-CL), platelet (PLT) counts and Hb levels. Methods:Sixteen patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection were administered LZD over a period of 4 to 41 days, and blood was collected at variable time points beginning on day 4 (n = 31). Blood LZD levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and LZD-CL was estimated by the population pharmacokinetics mean parameter and Bayesian methods. The relationship between the estimated LZD-CL and reductions in PLT counts and Hb levels was then evaluated by regression analysis. Results:During the LZD treatment period, a weak correlation was identified between the LZD-CL rate and PLT counts (r2 = 0.31, n = 31). Significantly, the regression analysis between LZD-CL and Hb levels showed a stronger correlation (r2 = 0.54, n = 31), with Hb levels clearly decreasing with reductions in the LZD-CL rate. Conclusions:In patients undergoing treatment with LZD, low LZD-CL rates correlated with reductions of both PLT counts and Hb levels, suggesting that increase of blood LZD levels influences hematopoietic function. Because a strong correlation was noted between LZD-CL and Hb levels, closely monitoring changes in Hb levels during treatment with LZD may detect the development of adverse effects such as thrombocytopenia and anemia.

Successful treatment of skin and soft tissue infection due to carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii by ampicillin–sulbactam and meropenem combination therapy

In recent years, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections have been responsible for outbreaks in medical facilities. A 35-year-old Japanese woman developed a skin and soft tissue infection due to carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii. The isolate was resistant to antibiotics other than ampicillin-sulbactam and colistin, suggesting drug resistance due to carbapenemase production by OXA-23. We selected a combination therapy consisting of intravenous ampicillin-sulbactam and meropenem. No changes were observed in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, or serum creatinine during therapy, and carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii was not detected in wound exudates 3 days after therapy initiation. In our patients case, combination therapy with ampicillin-sulbactam and meropenem was successful. Thus, combination therapy with ampicillin-sulbactam and meropenem is effective against skin and soft tissue infection due to carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii. Combination therapy with intravenous ampicillin-sulbactam and meropenem may be an option for skin and soft tissue infections due to carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii.

Pharmacokinetics and protein binding of linezolid in cerebrospinal fluid and serum in a case of post-neurosurgical bacterial meningitis

Abstract We describe a case of bacterial meningitis in a patient administered linezolid (LZD). The ratio of free to total LZD concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was 1 for all measurements, and the LZD concentration in CSF measured at the trough level was almost the same as the free serum concentration.

Effect of various estimates of renal function on prediction of vancomycin concentration by the population mean and Bayesian methods.

Objective:  Renal function was estimated in 129 elderly patients with methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) who were treated with vancomycin (VCM). The estimation was performed by substituting serum creatinine (SCR) measured enzymatically and a value converted using the Jaffe method into the Cockcroft‐Gault and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equations. The serum trough level was predicted from three estimates of renal function by the population mean (PM) and Bayesian methods and the predictability was assessed.