International journal of antimicrobial agents
-
Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Apr 2013
Review Meta Analysisβ-Lactam plus aminoglycoside or fluoroquinolone combination versus β-lactam monotherapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections: a meta-analysis.
The objective of this review was to compare the effectiveness and safety of β-lactam combined with aminoglycoside or fluoroquinolone with that of β-lactam monotherapy for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. We searched Scopus and PubMed databases and synthesised the outcomes of the individual studies in a meta-analysis. Both non-randomised studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated outcomes of patients with P. aeruginosa infections receiving treatment with β-lactams alone or in combination with an aminoglycoside or a fluoroquinolone were included. ⋯ There was no difference in clinical cure either for RCTs (1.29, 0.91-1.83) or for non-randomised studies (1.18, 0.97-1.45). In conclusion, no benefit in mortality was observed in patients receiving combination therapy for P. aeruginosa infections. A well-designed multicentre RCT is warranted to address this important issue.
-
Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Mar 2013
Continuous infusion of vancomycin in septic patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy.
Vancomycin is frequently administered as a continuous infusion to treat severe infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. Previous studies have suggested a loading dose of 15 mg/kg followed by continuous infusion of 30 mg/kg in patients with normal renal function; however, there are no dosing recommendations in patients with renal failure undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Data from all adult septic patients admitted to a Department of Intensive Care over a 3-year period in whom vancomycin was given as a continuous infusion were reviewed. ⋯ On Day 1, 43 patients (51%) had adequate drug concentrations (20-30 μg/mL), 17 (20%) had levels >30 μg/mL and 25 (29%) had levels <20 μg/mL. Most patients with adequate drug concentrations received a daily dose of 16-35 mg/kg. The intensity of CRRT directly influenced vancomycin concentrations on Day 1 of therapy.
-
Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents · Feb 2013
Case Reportsβ-Lactam therapeutic drug monitoring in the critically ill: optimising drug exposure in patients with fluctuating renal function and hypoalbuminaemia.
β-Lactams are routinely prescribed in the treatment of serious infections. Empirical dosing schedules are typically derived from studies in healthy volunteers and largely fail to consider the significant changes in antibacterial pharmacokinetics often encountered in the critically ill. These changes are primarily driven by the underlying pathophysiology and the interventions provided, leading to altered protein binding, poor tissue penetration, and fluctuations in the volume of distribution and drug clearance. ⋯ This series utilises three representative cases from a β-lactam TDM service that highlight the utility of this intervention in optimising antibacterial dosing. These preliminary data support an expanding role for β-lactam TDM in select critically ill patients and provide insight into the subpopulations most at risk of suboptimal drug exposure. Future studies investigating the clinical outcome benefits of β-lactam TDM in these patient groups are now warranted.