Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis as a tool for surveillance of the activity of antimicrobials against Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated in critically ill patients

Optimizing Antibiotic Therapy for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Infections in Critically Ill Patients: A Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Approach

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an opportunistic, multidrug-resistant non-fermentative Gram-negative bacillus, posing a significant challenge in clinical treatment due to its numerous intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate the adequacy of antibiotics used for the treatment of S. maltophilia infections in critically ill patients using a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) approach. The antibiotics studied included cotrimoxazole, levofloxacin, minocycline, tigecycline, cefiderocol, and the new combination aztreonam/avibactam, which is not yet approved. By Monte Carlo simulations, the probability of target attainment (PTA), the PK/PD breakpoints, and the cumulative fraction of response (CFR) were estimated. PK parameters and MIC distributions were sourced from the literature, the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST), and the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program collection. Cefiderocol 2 g q8h, minocycline 200 mg q12h, tigecycline 100 mg q12h, and aztreonam/avibactam 1500/500 mg q6h were the best options to treat empirically infections due to S. maltophilia. Cotrimoxazole provided a higher probability of treatment success for the U.S. isolates than for European isolates. For all antibiotics, discrepancies between the PK/PD breakpoints and the clinical breakpoints defined by EUCAST (or the ECOFF) and CLSI were detected.

Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Oral Calcium Fosfomycin: Are Urine Levels Sufficient to Ensure Efficacy for Urinary Tract Infections?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are extremely common and a major driver for the use of antimicrobials. Calcium fosfomycin is an old antibiotic indicated for the treatment of UTIs; however, data about its urine pharmacokinetic profile are scarce. In this work, we have evaluated the pharmacokinetics of fosfomycin from urine concentrations after oral administration of calcium fosfomycin to healthy women. Moreover, we have assessed, by pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analysis and Monte Carlo simulations, its effectiveness considering the susceptibility profile of Escherichia coli, the main pathogen involved in UTIs. The accumulated fraction of fosfomycin excreted in urine was around 18%, consistent with its low oral bioavailability and its almost exclusively renal clearance by glomerular filtration as unchanged drug. PK/PD breakpoints resulted to be 8, 16, and 32 mg/L for a single dose of 500 mg, a single dose of 1000 mg, and 1000 mg q8h for 3 days, respectively. For empiric treatment, the estimated probability of treatment success was very high (>95%) with the three dose regimens, considering the susceptibility profile of E. coli reported by EUCAST. Our results show that oral calcium fosfomycin at a dose level of 1000 mg every 8 h provides urine concentrations sufficient to ensure efficacy for the treatment of UTIs in women.

Key Factors in Effective Patient-Tailored Dosing of Fluoroquinolones in Urological Infections: Interindividual Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Variability

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are a critical group of antimicrobials prescribed in urological infections as they have a broad antimicrobial spectrum of activity and a favorable tissue penetration at the site of infection. However, their clinical practice is not problem-free of treatment failure, risk of emergence of resistance, and rare but important adverse effects. Due to their critical role in clinical improvement, understanding the dose-response relation is necessary to optimize the effectiveness of FQs therapy, as it is essential to select the right antibiotic at the right dose for the right duration in urological infections. The aim of this study was to review the published literature about inter-individual variability in pharmacological processes that can be responsible for the clinical response after empiric dose for the most commonly prescribed urological FQs: ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin. Interindividual pharmacokinetic (PK) variability, particularly in elimination, may contribute to treatment failure. Clearance related to creatinine clearance should be specifically considered for ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. Likewise, today, undesired interregional variability in FQs antimicrobial activity against certain microorganisms exists. FQs pharmacology, patient-specific characteristics, and the identity of the local infecting organism are key factors in determining clinical outcomes in FQs use.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Susceptibility in Spain: Antimicrobial Activity and Resistance Suppression Evaluation by PK/PD Analysis

Pseudomonas aeruginosa remains one of the major causes of healthcare-associated infection in Europe; in 2019, 12.5% of invasive isolates of P. aeruginosa in Spain presented combined resistance to ≥3 antimicrobial groups. The Spanish nationwide survey on P. aeruginosa antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and molecular epidemiology was published in 2019. Based on the information from this survey, the objective of this work was to analyze the overall antimicrobial activity of the antipseudomonal antibiotics considering pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analysis. The role of PK/PD to prevent or minimize resistance emergence was also evaluated. A 10,000-subject Monte Carlo simulation was executed to calculate the probability of target attainment (PTA) and the cumulative fraction of response (CFR) considering the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) distribution of bacteria isolated in ICU or medical wards, and distinguishing between sample types (respiratory and non-respiratory). Ceftazidime/avibactam followed by ceftolozane/tazobactam and colistin, categorized as the Reserve by the Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) classification of the World Health Organization, were the most active antimicrobials, with differences depending on the admission service, sample type, and dose regimen. Discrepancies between EUCAST-susceptibility breakpoints for P. aeruginosa and those estimated by PK/PD analysis were detected. Only standard doses of ceftazidime/avibactam and ceftolozane/tazobactam provided drug concentrations associated with resistance suppression.

Molecular Epidemiology, Antimicrobial Surveillance, and PK/PD Analysis to Guide the Treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections

The aim of this study was to apply molecular epidemiology, antimicrobial surveillance, and PK/PD analysis to guide the antimicrobial treatment of gonococci infections in a region of the north of Spain. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on all isolates (2017 to 2019, n = 202). A subset of 35 isolates intermediate or resistant to at least two antimicrobials were selected to search for resistance genes and genotyping through WGS. By Monte Carlo simulation, we estimated the probability of target attainment (PTA) and the cumulative fraction of response (CFR) of the antimicrobials used to treat gonorrhea, both indicative of the probability of treatment success. In total, 2.0%, 6.4%, 5.4%, and 48.2% of the isolates were resistant to ceftriaxone, cefixime, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin, respectively. Twenty sequence types were identified. Detected mutations were related to antibiotic resistance. PK/PD analysis showed high probability of treatment success of the cephalosporins. In conclusion, multiple populations of N. gonorrhoeae were identified. We can confirm that ceftriaxone (even at the lowest dose: 250 mg) and oral cefixime are good candidates to treat gonorrhea. For patients allergic to cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin should be only used if the MIC is known and ≤0.125 mg/L; this antimicrobial is not recommended for empirical treatment.

Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Tedizolid Phosphate Compared to Linezolid for the Treatment of Infections Caused by Gram-Positive Bacteria

Tedizolid and linezolid have antibacterial activity against the most important acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infection (ABSSSIs) pathogens. The objective of this work was to apply PK/PD analysis to evaluate the probability of attaining the pharmacodynamic target of these antimicrobials based on the susceptibility patterns of different clinical isolates causing ABSSSI. Pharmacokinetic and microbiological data were obtained from the literature. PK/PD breakpoints, the probability of target attainment (PTA) and the cumulative fraction of response (CFR) were calculated by Monte Carlo simulation. PTA and CFR are indicative of treatment success. PK/PD breakpoints of tedizolid and linezolid were 0.5 and 1 mg/L, respectively. Probability of treatment success of tedizolid was very high (>90%) for most staphylococci strains, including MRSA and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). Only for methicillin- and linezolid-resistant S. aureus (MLRSA) and linezolid resistant (LR) CoNS strains was the CFR of tedizolid very low. Except for LR, daptomycin-non-susceptible (DNS), and vancomycin-resistant (VRE) E. faecium isolates, tedizolid also provided a high probability of treatment success for enterococci. The probability of treatment success of both antimicrobials for streptococci was always higher than 90%. In conclusion, for empiric treatment, PK/PD analysis has shown that tedizolid would be adequate for most staphylococci, enterococci, and streptococci, even those LR whose linezolid resistance is mediated by the cfr gene.

The Role of PK/PD Analysis in the Development and Evaluation of Antimicrobials

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analysis has proved to be very useful to establish rational dosage regimens of antimicrobial agents in human and veterinary medicine. Actually, PK/PD studies are included in the European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidelines for the evaluation of medicinal products. The PK/PD approach implies the use of in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models, as well as mathematical models to describe the relationship between the kinetics and the dynamic to determine the optimal dosing regimens of antimicrobials, but also to establish susceptibility breakpoints, and prevention of resistance. The final goal is to optimize therapy in order to maximize efficacy and minimize side effects and emergence of resistance. In this review, we revise the PK/PD principles and the models to investigate the relationship between the PK and the PD of antibiotics. Additionally, we highlight the outstanding role of the PK/PD analysis at different levels, from the development and evaluation of new antibiotics to the optimization of the dosage regimens of currently available drugs, both for human and animal use.

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic evaluation of the antimicrobial therapy of pneumococcal invasive disease in adults in post-PCV13 vaccine period in Madrid, Spain

The objective of our study was to evaluate by pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analysis, if the antimicrobials used for the treatment of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in adults, including meningitis, are adequate considering the susceptibility profile of S. pneumoniae in Spain after the implantation of PVC13 vaccine. Pharmacokinetic parameters of benzylpenicillin and cefotaxime were obtained from the literature, and susceptibility data of invasive S. pneumoniae strains recovered in 2017 (post-PCV13 vaccination period) were provided by the Public Health Regional Laboratory of Madrid. We have also studied levofloxacin because it is used to treat pneumococcal pneumonia previously to be diagnosed as bacteremic pneumonia. Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate the probability of target attainment (PTA) and the cumulative fraction of response (CFR). All doses of benzylpenicillin except 2 mU q6h provide a high probability of treatment success for MIC values ≤ 1 mg/L; 4 mU q4h is even useful for MIC values up to 4 mg/L. This high dose, used for the treatment of meningitis, also provides high probability of treatment success for MIC ≤ 0.5 mg/L. At the susceptibility EUCAST breakpoint (≤ 0.5 mg/L), cefotaxime provides a high rate of PD target achievement, even at the lowest dose (1 g q8h). For meningitis, 2 g q6h ensures probabilities of target attainment ≥90% for MIC up to 1 mg/L. Our study confirms that after the implementation of PCV13 vaccine, the treatment with benzylpenicillin and cefotaxime provides high probability of the therapy success of IPD, including meningitis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in intensive care: Epidemiology, outcomes, and antimicrobial susceptibilities

BACKGROUND

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection in the intensive care unit (ICU) contributes to substantial mortality. In this study, we describe the epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibilities, and outcomes of ICU patients with pseudomonal infection.

METHODS

ICU patients with PA were identified and classified as colonized or infected. Infected patients were reviewed for source, patient characteristics, antimicrobial susceptibilities, appropriateness of empiric antimicrobial therapy, and 30-day mortality. Independent predictors of mortality were identified using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

One hundred forty (71%) patients with PA were infected. Mean patient age was 55 (SD 18) years; 62% were male. Admission categories included medical (71%), surgical (20%), and trauma or neurological (9%). Mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score was 19 (SD 10). One hundred twenty-six (90%) patients were mechanically ventilated, 102 (73%) required vasopressors, and 27 (19%) received renal replacement; 32 (23%) died within 30 days. Infection was nosocomial in 101 (72%) cases. Sources were respiratory (66%), skin-soft tissue (11%), urinary (10%), blood (5%), surgical (5%), gastrointestinal (2%), or unknown (1%). Twenty (14%) isolates were multi-drug resistant; 6 (4%) were extensively drug resistant. Empiric antimicrobial therapy was effective in 97 (69%) cases. Liver disease (adjusted OR [aOR] 6.2, 95% CI 1.5 to 25.7; p = 0.01), malignancy (aOR 5.0, 95% CI 1.5 to 17.3; p = 0.01), and higher APACHE II score (aOR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.1; p = 0.02) were independently associated with 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

PA infection in ICU is most commonly respiratory and associated with substantial mortality. Existing malignancy, liver disease, and higher APACHE II score were independently associated with mortality.

Evaluation of the adequacy of the antimicrobial therapy of invasive Haemophilus influenzae infections: A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic perspective

INTRODUCTION

In Europe, non-typeable H. influenzae (NTHi) is the leading cause of invasive H. influenzae disease in adults and is associated with high mortality. The goal of this study was to determine whether current antimicrobial treatments for H. influenzae infection in Spain are suitable based on their probability of achieving pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) targets.

METHODS

Pharmacokinetic parameters for the antibiotics studied (amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ampicillin, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, imipenem and ciprofloxacin) and susceptibility data for H. influenzae were obtained from literature. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate the probability of target attainment (PTA), defined as the probability that at least a specific value of a PK/PD index is achieved at a certain MIC, and the cumulative fraction of response (CFR), defined as the expected population PTA for a specific drug dose and a specific microorganism population.

RESULTS

Regardless of dosing regimen, all antibiotics yielded CFR values of 100% or nearly 100% for all strains, including BL+, BL- and BLNAR, except amoxicillin and ampicillin for BL+. Thus, if an infection is caused by BL+ strains, treatment with amoxicillin and ampicillin has a high probability of failure (CFR≤8%). For standard doses of amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and imipenem, PK/PD breakpoints were consistent with EUCAST clinical breakpoints. For the other antimicrobials, PK/PD breakpoints were higher than EUCAST clinical breakpoints.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms by PK/PD analysis that, with the antimicrobials used as empirical treatment of invasive H. influenzae disease, a high probability of therapeutic success can be expected.