International journal of antimicrobial agents
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · May 2017
Comparative StudyComparing the therapeutic efficacies of third-generation cephalosporins and broader-spectrum β-lactams as appropriate empirical therapy in adults with community-onset monomicrobial Enterobacteriaceae bacteraemia: a propensity score matched analysis.
In this study, the therapeutic efficacy of third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs) was compared with that of broader-spectrum β-lactams (BSBLs) [fourth-generation cephalosporins (4GCs) and carbapenems] as empirical therapy in adults with community-onset monomicrobial Enterobacteriaceae bacteraemia. Compared with those in the 3GC group (n = 477), a significantly higher proportion of patients in the BSBL group (n = 141) had initial presentation with severe sepsis or septic shock, critical illness (Pitt bacteraemia score ≥4) at bacteraemia onset and fatal co-morbidities (McCabe classification). ⋯ Consequently, the early clinical failure rate (12.9% vs. 12.3%; P = 0.87), bacteraemia severity (Pitt bacteraemia score ≥4; 4.6% vs. 8.2%; P = 0.17) at Day 3, and 3-day (3.8% vs. 7.5%; P = 0.11) and 28-day (13.2% vs. 17.0%; P = 0.33) crude mortality rates between the two groups were similar. These data suggest that the efficacy of 3GCs is similar to that of 4GCs or carbapenems when used as empirical antimicrobial therapy for community-onset Enterobacteriaceae bacteraemia.
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Feb 2017
Might real-time pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic optimisation of high-dose continuous-infusion meropenem improve clinical cure in infections caused by KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae?
The effect of real-time pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) optimisation of high-dose continuous-infusion meropenem on the clinical outcome of patients receiving combination antimicrobial therapy for treatment of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) infections was retrospectively assessed. Data for all patients with KPC-Kp-related infections who received antimicrobial combination therapy containing high-dose continuous-infusion meropenem optimised by means of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) were retrieved. Optimal PK/PD exposure was considered a steady-state concentration to minimum inhibitory concentration ratio (Css/MIC) of 1-4. ⋯ Clinical outcome was successful in 73.3% of cases after a median treatment length of 14.0 days. In univariate analysis, a significant correlation with successful clinical outcome was found for a Css/MIC ratio ≥1 (OR = 10.556, 95% CI 1.612-69.122; P = 0.014), a Css/MIC ratio ≥4 (OR = 12.250, 95% CI 1.268-118.361; P = 0.030) and a Charlson co-morbidity index of ≥4 (OR = 0.158, 95% CI 0.025-0.999; P = 0.05). High-dose continuous-infusion meropenem optimised by means of real-time TDM may represent a valuable tool in improving clinical outcome when dealing with the treatment of infections caused by KPC-Kp with a meropenem MIC ≤ 64 mg/L.
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Feb 2017
Determinants of gentamicin concentrations in critically ill patients: a population pharmacokinetic analysis.
When treating critically ill patients with gentamicin for severe infection, peak concentrations (Cmax) determine clinical efficacy and trough concentrations (Cmin) determine toxicity. Despite administration of body weight-standardised starting doses, a wide range of Cmax is generally observed. Furthermore, in therapeutic drug monitoring, several measures of renal function are used to predict appropriate Cmin and gentamicin dosing intervals, but the most accurate predictor is not known. ⋯ In conclusion, low albumin concentrations resulted in a larger Vd and lower Cmax of gentamicin. These results suggest that use of a higher gentamicin starting dose in critically ill patients with hypoalbuminaemia may prevent underdosing. Urinary CalcCLCr is a better predictor of Cmin than SCr or CGCLCr.
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Jan 2017
Multicenter Study Observational StudyPredominance of healthcare-associated cases among episodes of community-onset bacteraemia due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae.
Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) are endemic pathogens worldwide. Infection with ESBL-PE may be associated with inadequate antibiotic therapy and a poor outcome. However, risk factors for ESBL-PE community-acquired infections are ill-defined. ⋯ Inadequate initial antibiotic therapy was administered to 55% of patients with ESBL-PE bacteraemia but was not associated with increased 14-day mortality. Although many patients had community-onset ESBL-PE bacteraemia, almost two-thirds of the episodes were actually healthcare-associated, and true community-acquired ESBL-PE bacteraemia remains rare. In our essentially non-severely ill population, inappropriate initial therapy was not associated with a higher risk of mortality.
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Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Dec 2016
Antimicrobial prescribing patterns in a large tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China.
Whilst the 'Principles of clinical use of antibiotics' was released by the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China in 2004, limited research has been conducted to evaluate the quality of antibiotic use in real-world practice. In this study, we sought to examine antimicrobial prescribing patterns in a large tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China. De-identified outpatient and emergency department pharmacy records containing antimicrobials were extracted from the hospital electronic health records system. ⋯ A total of US$4.6 million were spent as out-of-pocket costs on antimicrobials in 2014, and the median antimicrobial cost per prescription was $9. Unnecessary antibiotic use is still common in real-world clinical practice and remains a public health challenge. Antibiotic-related medical expenditure also presents an important economic burden.