Daptomycin > 6 mg/kg/day as salvage therapy in patients with complex bone and joint infection: cohort study in a regional reference center

Daptomycin Exposure as a Risk Factor for Daptomycin-Induced Eosinophilic Pneumonia and Muscular Toxicity

BACKGROUND

High-dose daptomycin is increasingly used in patients with bone and joint infection (BJI). This raises concerns about a higher risk of adverse events (AEs), including daptomycin-induced eosinophilic pneumonia (DIEP) and myotoxicity. We aimed to examine pharmacokinetic and other potential determinants of DIEP and myotoxicity in patients with BJI receiving daptomycin.

METHODS

All patients receiving daptomycin for BJI were identified in a prospective cohort study. Cases were matched at a 1:3 ratio, with controls randomly selected from the same cohort. Bayesian estimation of the daptomycin daily area under the concentration-time curve over 24 hours (AUC24h) was performed with the Monolix software based on therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) data. Demographic and biological data were also collected. Risk factors of AEs were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

From 1130 patients followed over 7 years, 9 with DIEP, 26 with myotoxicity, and 106 controls were included in the final analysis. Daptomycin AUC24h, C-reactive protein, and serum protein levels were associated with the risk of AEs. The adjusted hazard ratio of DIEP or myotoxicity was 3.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48-6.5; P < .001) for daptomycin AUC24h > 939 mg/h/L, 9.8 (95% CI, 3.94-24.5; P < .001) for C-reactive protein > 21.6 mg/L, and 2.4 (95% CI, 1.02-5.65; P = .04) for serum protein <72 g/L.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified common determinants of DIEP and myotoxicity in patients with BJI. Because the risk of AEs was associated with daptomycin exposure, daptomycin TDM and model-informed precision dosing may help optimize the efficacy and safety of daptomycin treatment in this setting. A target AUC24h range of 666 to 939 mg/h/L is suggested.

Seventeen Cases of Daptomycin-Induced Eosinophilic Pneumonia in a Cohort of Patients Treated for Bone and Joint Infections: Proposal for a New Algorithm

BACKGROUND

Daptomycin is increasingly used in the treatment of bone and joint infections (BJIs) and may be responsible for daptomycin-induced eosinophilic pneumonia (DIEP), a potentially severe adverse drug reaction. The aim of this study was to describe DIEP in patients treated at a referral center for the management of BJI, and to revisit current definitions of this disease.

METHODS

Patients treated from 1 January 2012 to 31 March 2021 were included in a prospective cohort (NCT02817711), in which all potential serious adverse events are prospectively recorded. Patients diagnosed with DIEP were retrospectively analyzed using different definitions.

RESULTS

In a total of 4664 patients included in the cohort during the study period, 1021 patients (21.9%) received daptomycin, of whom 17 (1.7%) were diagnosed with DIEP. Most patients were male (n = 11 [64.7%]), and periprosthetic joint infection was the commonest BJI (n = 12 [70.6%]). Only 1 patient had bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) eosinophil count ≥25%, while most patients had peripheral blood eosinophilia (n = 15 [88.2%]). Chest computed tomography (CT) was compatible with eosinophilic pneumonia in 13 of 14 cases (92.9%). All patients recovered upon discontinuation of daptomycin. Using the different definitions available, only a minority of cases fulfilled existing criteria for DIEP. We propose a new algorithm that includes specific CT scan signs, and systemic instead of BAL eosinophilia.

CONCLUSIONS

DIEP is a rare event that requires prompt discontinuation of the causative antibiotic. Current criteria to diagnose definite DIEP are too restrictive and not easily applicable in clinical practice. A new algorithm is proposed here (Lyon algorithm) to facilitate the early identification of DIEP.

Daptomycin Physiology-Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling to Predict Drug Exposure and Pharmacodynamics in Skin and Bone Tissues

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Daptomycin has been recommended in the treatment of bone and joint infection. Previous work showed that the approved dosage of daptomycin may be insufficient to achieve optimal exposure in patients with bone and joint infection. However, those studies assumed that bone exposure was similar to steady-state daptomycin-free plasma concentrations. We sought to establish a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of daptomycin to describe the dynamics of daptomycin disposition in bone and skin tissue.

METHODS

A PBPK model of daptomycin was built using PK-Sim^®. Daptomycin concentrations in plasma and bone were obtained from three previously published studies. Physicochemical drug characteristics, mass balance, anthropometrics, and experimental data were used to build and refine the PBPK model. Internal validation of the PBPK model was performed using the usual diagnostic plots. The final PBPK model was then used to run simulations with doses of 6, 8, 10, and 12 mg/kg/24 h. Pharmacokinetic profiles were simulated in 1000 subjects and the probabilities of target attainment for the area under the concentration-time curve over the bacterial minimum inhibitory concentration were computed in blood, skin, and bone compartments.

RESULTS

The final model showed a good fit of all datasets with an absolute average fold error between 0.5 and 2 for all pharmacokinetic quantities in blood, skin and bone tissues. Results of dosing simulations showed that doses ≥10 mg/kg should be used in the case of bacteremia caused by Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration >0.5 mg/L or Enterococcus faecalis with a minimum inhibitory concentration >1 mg/L, while doses ≥12 mg/kg should be used in the case of bone and joint infection or complicated skin infection. When considering a lower minimum inhibitory concentration, doses of 6-8 mg/kg would likely achieve a sufficient success rate. However, in the case of infections caused by E. faecalis with a minimum inhibitory concentration >2 mg/L, a higher dosage and combination therapy would be necessary to maximize efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed the first daptomycin PBPK/pharmacodynamic model for bone and joint infection, which confirmed that a higher daptomycin dosage is needed to optimize exposure in bone tissue. However, such higher dosages raise safety concerns. In this setting, therapeutic drug monitoring and model-informed precision dosing appear necessary to ensure the right exposure on an individual basis.

Implementation and Comparison of Two Pharmacometric Tools for Model-Based Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Precision Dosing of Daptomycin

Daptomycin is a candidate for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). The objectives of this work were to implement and compare two pharmacometric tools for daptomycin TDM and precision dosing. A nonparametric population PK model developed from patients with bone and joint infection was implemented into the BestDose software. A published parametric model was imported into Tucuxi. We compared the performance of the two models in a validation dataset based on mean error (ME) and mean absolute percent error (MAPE) of individual predictions, estimated exposure and predicted doses necessary to achieve daptomycin efficacy and safety PK/PD targets. The BestDose model described the data very well in the learning dataset. In the validation dataset (94 patients, 264 concentrations), 21.3% of patients were underexposed (AUC_24h < 666 mg.h/L) and 31.9% of patients were overexposed (C_min > 24.3 mg/L) on the first TDM occasion. The BestDose model performed slightly better than the model in Tucuxi (ME = -0.13 ± 5.16 vs. -1.90 ± 6.99 mg/L, p < 0.001), but overall results were in agreement between the two models. A significant proportion of patients exhibited underexposure or overexposure to daptomycin after the initial dosage, which supports TDM. The two models may be useful for model-informed precision dosing.

In Vitro Anti-Biofilm Activity of Bacteriophage K (ATCC 19685-B1) and Daptomycin against Staphylococci

The purpose of the present study was to investigate anti-staphylococcal activity of daptomycin and bacteriophage K, alone or in combination, against biofilm-producers and non-producers S. aureus and S. epidermidis strains, under biofilm forming and cells' proliferation conditions. Daptomycin and bacteriophage K (ATCC 19685B1), in different concentrations, were tested against 10 Staphylococcus aureus and 10 S. epidermidis, characterized by phenotypes and genotypes. The quantitative microtiter plate (crystal violet, CV), methylthiazoltetrazolium (MTT), and growth curve (GC) assays were performed. No statistically significant difference was found between species, whereas daptomycin alone performed better using medium and high concentrations of the drug and bacteriophage K was more active against strains with higher susceptibility, by CV and MTT assays. Best results were achieved using both agents combined in high concentrations. Bacteriophage K was effective within 3.8 and 2.4 h, depending on the concentration used, by the GC assay. Combination of daptomycin with bacteriophage K was more effective against staphylococci, depending on the concentrations used and strains' susceptibility. Further studies are needed to evaluate if this approach might be a choice for prevention or therapy of biofilm-associated infections.

Risk Factors of Daptomycin-Induced Eosinophilic Pneumonia in a Population with Osteoarticular Infection

BACKGROUND

Daptomycin-induced eosinophilic pneumonia (DEP) is a rare but severe adverse effect and the risk factors are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for DEP.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed at the Bone and Joint Infection Unit of the Hospital Universitari Bellvitge (January 2014-December 2018). To identify risk factors for DEP, cases were divided into two groups: those who developed DEP and those without DEP.

RESULTS

Among the whole cohort (n = 229) we identified 11 DEP cases (4.8%) and this percentage almost doubled in the subgroup of patients ≥70 years (8.1%). The risk factors for DEP were age ≥70 years (HR 10.19, 95%CI 1.28-80.93), therapy >14 days (7.71, 1.98-30.09) and total cumulative dose of daptomycin ≥10 g (5.30, 1.14-24.66).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians should monitor cumulative daptomycin dosage to minimize DEP risk, and be cautious particularly in older patients when the total dose of daptomycin exceeds 10 g.

Population pharmacokinetics of daptomycin in patients with bone and joint infection: minimal effect of rifampicin co-administration and confirmation of a sex difference

BACKGROUND

Daptomycin is increasingly used in the treatment of bone and joint infection (BJI), but its pharmacokinetics (PK) and dosage requirements have not been thoroughly investigated in this indication. Daptomycin may be co-administered with rifampicin, which raises questions about a potential drug interaction.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the population PK and dosage requirements of daptomycin in patients with BJI, and examine the influence of rifampicin co-administration.

METHODS

A population approach was used to analyse PK data from patients who received daptomycin in our regional reference for BJI. We examined the influence of available covariates, including rifampicin co-administration on daptomycin PK. Simulations performed with the final model investigated the influence of dosages and covariates on PTA for both efficacy and safety.

RESULTS

A total of 1303 daptomycin concentrations from 183 patients were analysed. A two-compartment model best described the data. Significant intra-individual variability was observed. Daptomycin clearance was influenced by renal function and sex, with females having a 26% lower typical clearance than males. Central volume of distribution (V1) was influenced by body weight, age, sex and rifampicin co-administration. Typical V1 was 11% lower in patients who were co-administered rifampicin. In PK/PD simulations, sex influenced the probability of AUC24/MIC target attainment, while rifampicin had a marginal effect.

CONCLUSIONS

A daptomycin dosage of 8 mg/kg/24 h in women and 10 mg/kg/24 h in men should optimize efficacy but may lead to excessive trough concentrations in many patients, especially in women. Therapeutic drug monitoring appears necessary for precision dosing of daptomycin.

Bone and Joint Infection Involving Corynebacterium spp.: From Clinical Features to Pathophysiological Pathways

Introduction: Corynebacteria represent often-neglected etiological agents of post-traumatic and/or post-operative bone and joint infection (BJI). We describe here clinical characteristics and bacteriological determinants of this condition. Methods: A retrospective cohort study described characteristics, outcome and determinants of treatment failure of all patients with proven Corynebacterium spp. BJI (i.e., ≥2 culture-positive gold-standard samples). Available strains were further characterized regarding their antibiotic susceptibilies, abilities to form early (BioFilm Ring Test®) and mature (crystal violet staining method) biofilms and to invade osteoblasts (gentamicin protection assay). Results: The 51 included BJI were mostly chronic (88.2%), orthopedic device-related (74.5%) and polymicrobial (78.4%). After a follow-up of 60.7 weeks (IQR, 30.1-115.1), 20 (39.2%) treatment failures were observed, including 4 Corynebacterium-documented relapses, mostly associated with non-optimal surgical management (OR 7.291; p = 0.039). Internalization rate within MG63 human osteoblasts was higher for strains isolated from delayed (>3 months) BJI (p < 0.001). Infection of murine osteoblasts deleted for the β1-integrin resulted in a drastic reduction in the internalization rate. No difference was observed regarding biofilm formation. Conclusions: Surgical management plays a crucial role in outcome of BJI involving corynebacteria, as often chronic and device-associated infections. Sanctuarisation within osteoblasts, implicating the β1 cellular integrin, may represent a pivotal virulence factor associated with BJI chronicity.

Development of Daptomycin Susceptibility Breakpoints for Enterococcus faecium and Revision of the Breakpoints for Other Enterococcal Species by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute

Daptomycin is one of the few treatment options for infections caused by enterococci that are resistant to ampicillin and vancomycin, such as vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. The emergence and clinical significance of daptomycin-resistant enterococci and evolving microbiologic, pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic, and clinical data indicated that the pre-2019 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) susceptible-only breakpoint of ≤4 μg/mL for daptomycin and enterococci was no longer appropriate. After analyzing data that are outlined in this article, the CLSI Subcommittee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing established new breakpoints for daptomycin and enterococci. For E. faecium, a susceptible dose-dependent (SDD) breakpoint of ≤4 μg/mL was established based on an increased dosage of 8-12 mg/kg/day (≥8 μg/mL-resistant). CLSI suggests infectious diseases consultation to guide daptomycin use for the SDD category. For Enterococcus faecalis and other enterococcal species, revised breakpoints of ≤2 μg/mL-susceptible, 4 μg/mL-intermediate, and ≥8 μg/mL-resistant were established based on a standard dosage of 6 mg/kg/day.

Genetic polymorphisms of ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein) as a covariate influencing daptomycin pharmacokinetics: a population analysis in patients with bone and joint infection

BACKGROUND

Daptomycin has been recognized as a therapeutic option for the treatment of bone and joint infection (BJI). Gene polymorphism of ABCB1, the gene encoding P-glycoprotein (P-gp), may influence daptomycin pharmacokinetics (PK).

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to examine population PK of daptomycin and its determinants, including genetic factors, in patients with BJI.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analysed data from patients who received daptomycin for BJI between 2012 and 2016 in our regional reference centre and who had measured daptomycin concentrations and P-gp genotyping. A population approach was used to analyse PK data. In covariate analysis, we examined the influence of three single nucleotide variations (SNVs) of ABCB1 (3435C > T, 2677G > T/A and 1236C > T) and that of the corresponding haplotype on daptomycin PK parameters. Simulations performed with the final model examined the influence of covariates on the probability to achieve pharmacodynamic (PD) targets.

RESULTS

Data from 81 patients were analysed. Daptomycin body CL (CLDAP) correlated with CLCR and was 23% greater in males than in females. Daptomycin central V (V1) was allometrically scaled to body weight and was 25% lower in patients with homozygous CGC ABCB1 haplotype than in patients with any other genotype. Simulations performed with the model showed that sex and P-gp haplotype may influence the PTA for high MIC values and that a dosage of 10 mg/kg/24 h would optimize efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Daptomycin dosages higher than currently recommended should be evaluated in patients with BJI. Gender and P-gp gene polymorphism should be further examined as determinants of dosage requirements.

[Daptomycin-induced eosinophilic pneumonia associated with an early endoprosthesis infection]

Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is a rare disease characteristically involving eosinophilic infiltration of lung parenchyma as well as fever, dyspnea, and coughing. A differentiation is made between primary and secondary AEP depending on the underlying etiology. Substances that most frequently cause secondary AEP are antibiotics, such as the lipopeptide daptomycin. This is a case report about a 69-year-old female patient who underwent antibiotic treatment with daptomycin for an infection of a knee prosthesis. During the treatment, signs of pneumonia developed and included the increased dependence on mechanical ventilation of the previously intubated patient, infiltrates on a chest X‑ray, fever, and an increase in serum inflammation markers. Proof of bacteria as an underlying pathogen was not possible. A thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan showed opacities that are commonly seen in interstitial lung disease. Termination of daptomycin treatment due to renal failure led to an improvement of pulmonary symptoms. Re-exposure to daptomycin resulted in a recurrence of the symptoms. The diagnostic criteria for AEP according to Uppal et al. include 1) current exposure to daptomycin, 2) dyspnea with increased oxygen requirements or necessity for mechanical ventilation, 3) new infiltrates on chest X‑ray or CT scan, 4) bronchoalveolar lavage with eosinophilia >25%, 5) improvement of clinical symptoms following daptomycin withdrawal, and 6) fever. With 5 out of the 6 criteria by Uppal et al. positive-an eosinophilia >25% being the only unmet criteria-an AEP induced by daptomycin was diagnosed. Withdrawal of daptomycin as well as high-dose cortisol bolus treatment led to a rapid recovery.

Prosthetic joint infections: clinical management, diagnosis, and treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) represent one of the most disastrous complications in prosthetic surgery, requiring long hospitalization, prolonged antimicrobial treatment and repeated surgical interventions. No gold standard test to formulate diagnosis exist. A combination of high index of suspicion, physical examination, microbiological and biohumoral investigations is required. Therapeutical approach should be based on a multidisciplinary team. In our center, a two-stage approach is preferred. As regards the choice of the empirical antibiotic backbone, individual risk factors for multiple-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens should be considered. Several studies enhance the possibility to shorten the length of antibiotic couses.

RECENT FINDINGS

Some interesting improvements have been made in the setting of PJIs management. As regards diagnosis, novel biomarkers and nuclear imaging are acquiring more importance. Molecular biology techniques also offer the possibility to formulate rapid microbiological identification. The pattern of PJIs is evolving towards higher rates of MDR causes. During the last decade, a number of new antibiotic molecules with activity against MDRs have been approved. Some of them are also available either in oral formulation or as long-acting compounds, offering the opportunity for early patient's discharge, with expected healthcare costs saving.

SUMMARY

Management of PJIs still represents a major threat for clinicians. Improvements in surgical techniques and antibiotic pipeline promise to revolutionize the approach in next years. Despite data from our experience confirm the efficacy of shorter antibiotic courses and the value of new molecules, randomized clinical trials are lacking. More data are needed in order to modify the routine clinical practice.

The Efficacy and Safety of High-dose Daptomycin in the Treatment of Complicated Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Asians

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and safety of standard-dose (SD) daptomycin with those of high-dose (HD) daptomycin in complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs) in an Asian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients from three medical centers diagnosed with cSSTIs were screened in the clinical information system. Patients included in the analysis were divided into two groups: those who received daptomycin at doses ≥ 6 mg/kg (HD group) and those receiving 4 mg/kg (SD group). The demographics and clinical treatment information were analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, 155 patients were recruited, including 108 patients in the SD group and 47 patients in the HD group. The rate of healthcare-associated infections was higher in the HD group (61.70% vs. 37.04%), demonstrating a statistically significant difference (P = 0.005). Compared with the SD group, the HD group had statistically significant early clinical stabilization (72.34% vs 52.78%, P = 0.023). The results of the multivariate analysis indicated that HD daptomycin was an independent effector for early clinical stabilization (HR=0.394, P < 0.001). The rate of drug-related adverse events was equally distributed in the HD and SD groups (36.17% vs. 26.85%, P = 0.243).

CONCLUSION

Compared with SD daptomycin, HD daptomycin increased the rate of early clinical stabilization in Asian patients with cSSTIs, whereas the incidence of adverse events did not increase.

Daptomycin to bone and joint infections and prosthesis joint infections: a systematic review

Backgroud

Daptomycin has been used in bone and joint infections (BJI) and prosthesis joint infections (PJI) considering spectrum of activity and biofilm penetration. However, the current experience is based on case reports, case series, cohorts, and international surveys. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate studies about daptomycin treatment efficacy in BJI/PJI compared to other antibiotic regimens.

Methods

PubMed, LILACS, Scielo and Web of Science databases were searched for articles about daptomycin and treatment of BJI and PJI from inception to March 2018. Inclusion criteria were any published researches that included patients with BJI treated with daptomycin. Diagnosis of BJI was based on clinical, laboratory and radiological findings according to IDSA guidelines.

Results

From 5107 articles, 12 articles were included. Only three studies described the outcomes of patients with BJI treated with daptomycin with comparator regimen (vancomycin, teicoplanin and oxacillin). Studies presented large heterogeneity regarding device related infections, surgical procedures, and daptomycin regimens (varied from 4 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg). A total of 299 patients have been included in all studies (184 infections associated with orthopedic disposal and 115 osteomyelitis/septic arthritis). Two hundred and thirty-three patients were treated with daptomycin. The clinical cure rates on device related and non-device related infections (i.e. osteomyelitis) were 70% and 78%, respectively. Compared to all regimens evaluated, daptomycin group outcomes were non-inferior.

Conclusion

Although a randomized clinical trial is needed, this systematic review tends to support daptomycin usage for bone and joint infections.

A retrospective study of outcomes of device-associated osteomyelitis treated with daptomycin

Background

Daptomycin appears well tolerated and effective for osteomyelitis treatment. However, limited data exist regarding daptomycin use for treatment of device-associated osteomyelitis (DAO).

Methods

We used a retrospective, observational database (Cubicin® Outcomes Registry and Experience [CORE® 2007–2009]) that assessed patients treated with daptomycin to evaluate the characteristics of patients with DAO, outcomes after daptomycin treatment, and safety of daptomycin in this setting. Information from 54 institutions for patients with prosthetic joint infection (PJI) and other hardware-associated osteomyelitis (OHAO) who received daptomycin from January 2007 to December 2008 with follow-up data in 2009 was collected using a standardized data collection form.

Results

Eighty-two patients receiving daptomycin were identified in CORE 2007–2009; 48 patients (59 %) had follow-up data. Sixty-seven percent of patients had received a previous antibiotic. Surgical intervention was similar between the 2 groups: PJI, 22 of 27 (82 %) and OHAO, 17 of 21 (81 %). However, device removal or replacement was more frequent in the PJI patients (17 of 27, 63 %) than in the OHAO patients (8 of 21, 38 %). Clinical success was reported in 22 of 27 (82 %; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 62–94 %) patients with PJI and 18 of 21 (86 %; 95 % CI, 64–97 %) patients with OHAO at follow-up (13–402 days). Adverse events occurred in 8 of 50 (16 %) patients in the safety population and did not differ by daptomycin dose.

Conclusion

Daptomycin appeared effective and well tolerated in patients with DAO, including PJI or OHAO.

Staphylococcus aureus-Associated Musculoskeletal Infections

Musculoskeletal infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus are among the most difficult-to-treat infections. S. aureus osteomyelitis is associated with a tremendous disease burden through potential for long-term relapses and functional deficits. Although considerable advances have been achieved in diagnosis and treatment of osteomyelitis, the management remains challenging and impact on quality of life is still enormous. S. aureus acute arthritis is relatively seldom in general population, but the incidence is considerably higher in patients with predisposing conditions, particularly those with rheumatoid arthritis. Rapidly destructive course with high mortality and disability rates makes urgent diagnosis and treatment of acute arthritis essential. S. aureus pyomyositis is a common disease in tropical countries, but it is very seldom in temperate regions. Nevertheless, the cases have been increasingly reported also in non-tropical countries, and the physicians should be able to timely recognize this uncommon condition and initiate appropriate treatment. The optimal management of S. aureus-associated musculoskeletal infections requires a strong interdisciplinary collaboration between all involved specialists.