Population Pharmacokinetics of Flucloxacillin In Bone and Soft Tissue- Standard Dosing is Not Sufficient to Achieve Therapeutic Concentrations.

PURPOSE: Flucloxacillin is a ß-lactam penicillin commonly used in the treatment of bone and soft tissue infections. In a recent porcine study, we found surprisingly low time for which the free concentration was maintained above the minimal inhibitory concentration (fT>MIC) in bone and soft tissue, following flucloxacillin oral (PO) and intravenous (IV) administration at 1g every 6h (q6h). In addition to plasma, sampling was obtained from subcutaneous tissue, knee joint, cancellous bone and cortical bone, using microdialysis. To identify flucloxacillin dosing regimens that result in theoretically therapeutic concentrations, we developed a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model for the porcine data, and combined it with a human flucloxacillin population PK model for simulations. METHODS: A four-compartment model was developed, and various dosing regimens and modes of administration were simulated. Predicted concentrations were compared to %fT>MIC (0.5 mg/L and 2 mg/L). RESULTS: Continuous infusion (CI) resulted in higher %fT>MIC compared to intermittent administration. For intermittent IV dosing (4, 8 and 12g/24h), fT>MIC (0.5 mg/L) was ≥70% in plasma, and ranged between 42-96% in the sampled tissue in a typical individual. By applying CI, 4g/day was sufficient to achieve ≥98% fT>MIC (0.5 mg/L) in all sampled tissues. For MIC 2 mg/L, ≥50% fT>MIC was only achieved in plasma at CI 8 and 12g/24h and IV 3g q6h. CONCLUSIONS: To reach efficacious flucloxacillin bone and tissue concentrations, dose increment or continuous infusion needs to be considered.

Steady-state concentrations of flucloxacillin in porcine vertebral cancellous bone and intervertebral disc following oral and intravenous administration assessed by microdialysis.

AIMS: Flucloxacillin is a frequently used antibiotic in the treatment of spondylodiscitis. We assessed steady-state concentrations and time above minimal inhibitory concentration (fT > MIC) of flucloxacillin in the intervertebral disc, vertebral cancellous bone, subcutaneous tissue and plasma, after intravenous and oral administration. METHODS: Sixteen pigs were randomized into two groups; Group Peroral (Group PO) and Group Intravenous (Group IV) received 1 g flucloxacillin every 6 h for 24 h orally or intravenously. Microdialysis was used for sampling in the compartments of interest. A flucloxacillin target of 50% fT > MIC was applied for three MIC targets: 0.125, 0.5 and 2.0 µg/mL. RESULTS: Intravenous administration resulted in significantly longer fT > MIC for all targets. Target attainment was only reached for the low target of 0.125 µg/mL in Group IV in vertebral cancellous bone, subcutaneous tissue, and plasma (intervertebral disc 47%). In Group IV, mean fT > MIC values in the investigated compartments were in the range of 47-67% of the dosing interval for 0.125 µg/mL, 20-35% for 0.5 µg/mL, and 0-15% for 2.0 µg/mL. In Group PO, mean fT > MIC values for 0.125 µg/mL were in the range of 1-33%. No pigs reached a concentration of 0.5 µg/mL in any of the investigated compartments in Group PO. CONCLUSION: Administration of 1 g flucloxacillin every 6 h resulted in surprisingly low steady-state fT > MIC after intravenous and oral administration. However, intravenous administration resulted in significantly higher concentrations across compartments compared to oral administration. Sufficient target tissue concentrations for treatment of spondylodiscitis may require a dose increase or alternative dosing regimens.

Subtherapeutic levels of cefuroxime inside a cannulated pedicle screw used in spine surgery: results from a porcine microdialysis study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Minimally invasive spine surgery has continuously evolved for specific surgical procedures and patient populations to lower morbidity and the risk of postoperative bacterial infection. Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is an important preventive measure and local tissue concentrations can be quantified with microdialysis. Insertion of spinal implants induces tissue trauma and inflammation, which may affect antibiotic proximate implant concentrations. We compared perioperative cefuroxime concentrations inside a cannulated pedicle screw used in minimally invasive spine surgery with the opposite non-instrumented vertebral pedicle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microdialysis catheters were placed inside a cannulated pedicle screw and in the opposite non-instrumented vertebral pedicle of the same vertebra (L1) in 8 female pigs through a posterior lumbar surgical approach. Following a single-dose intravenous cefuroxime administration (1.5 g), dialysates and plasma were dynamically sampled over 8 hours. The primary endpoint was time above the cefuroxime clinical breakpoint minimal inhibitory concentration for Staphylococcus aureus of 4 µg/mL (T>MIC4). RESULTS: Median T>MIC4 was 0 h (range 0-0) inside the cannulated pedicle screw, 1.6 h (range 1.1-2.4) in non-instrumented vertebral pedicle, and 1.9 h (range 1.9-2.9) in plasma. CONCLUSION: A single-dose intravenous cefuroxime administration provided low and subtherapeutic concentrations for prevention of infection inside a cannulated pedicle screw in the lumbar spine. Therapeutic concentrations were achieved in the opposite non-instrumented vertebral pedicle up to 1.5-2 h. Therefore, additional prophylactic strategies may be considered in cannulated instrumented spine surgery, especially in high-risk patients. Alternative dosing regimens seem relevant in lumbar spine surgery lasting longer than 1.5 h.

Effects of tourniquet inflation on peri- and postoperative cefuroxime concentrations in bone and tissue.

Background and purpose - Tourniquet is widely used in orthopedic surgery to reduce intraoperative bleeding and improve visualization. We evaluated the effect of tourniquet application on peri- and postoperative cefuroxime concentrations in subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, calcaneal cancellous bone, and plasma. The primary endpoint was the time for which the free cefuroxime concentration was maintained above the clinical breakpoint minimal inhibitory concentration (T > MIC) for Staphylococcus aureus (4 µg/mL).Patients and methods - 10 patients scheduled for hallux valgus or hallux rigidus surgery were included. Microdialysis catheters were placed for sampling of cefuroxime concentrations bilaterally in subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, and calcaneal cancellous bone. A tourniquet was applied on the thigh of the leg scheduled for surgery (tourniquet duration time [range]: 65 minutes [58-77]). Cefuroxime (1.5 g) was administered intravenously 15 minutes prior to tourniquet inflation, followed by a second dose 6 hours later. Dialysates and venous blood samples were collected for 12 hours.Results - A cefuroxime concentration of 4 µg/mL was reached within 23 minutes in all compartments and patients. For cefuroxime the T > MIC (4 µg/mL) ranged between 4.8 and 5.4 hours across compartments, with similar results for the tourniquet and non-tourniquet leg. Comparable T > MIC and penetration ratios were found for the first and second dosing intervals.Interpretation - Administration of cefuroxime (1.5 g) 15 minutes prior to tourniquet inflation is safe in order to achieve tissue concentrations above 4 µg/mL throughout surgery. A tourniquet application time of approximately 1 hour did not affect the cefuroxime tissue penetration in the following dosing interval.

Effects of rifampicin on moxifloxacin concentrations in porcine cervical spine: a randomized microdialysis study.

BACKGROUND: Pyogenic spondylodiscitis remains a therapeutic challenge, as demonstrated by divergent treatment guidelines. The combination of moxifloxacin and rifampicin may be an attractive treatment option for cases caused by staphylococci; however, previous studies have reported a reduction in plasma concentrations of moxifloxacin when coadministered with rifampicin. The magnitude of this reduction in spinal tissues is not known. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of rifampicin on moxifloxacin tissue concentrations in vertebral cancellous bone, the intervertebral disc and subcutaneous adipose tissue under steady-state conditions using microdialysis in a porcine model. METHODS: Twenty female pigs were randomized into two groups of 10 pigs. Group A received 400 mg of moxifloxacin orally once daily for 3 days preoperatively. Group B received 400 mg of moxifloxacin orally once daily for 3 days preoperatively combined with 450 mg of rifampicin twice daily for 7 days preoperatively. Measurements were obtained from plasma, vertebral cancellous bone, the intervertebral disc and subcutaneous adipose tissue for 24 h. Microdialysis was applied for sampling in solid tissues. RESULTS: Coadministration of moxifloxacin and rifampicin demonstrated a reduction of free moxifloxacin concentrations in spinal tissues. Cmax and AUC0-24 in all tissue compartments decreased in the ranges of 66%-79% and 65%-76%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Using microdialysis, we demonstrated a significant reduction of moxifloxacin Cmax and AUC0-24 in the spinal tissues when coadministered with rifampicin.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Meropenem in Plasma and Subcutis from Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Treatment.

The objectives of this study were to describe meropenem pharmacokinetics (PK) in plasma and/or subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCT) in critically ill patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment and to develop a population PK model to simulate alternative dosing regimens and modes of administration. We conducted a prospective observational study. Ten patients on ECMO treatment received meropenem (1 or 2 g) intravenously over 5 min every 8 h. Serial SCT concentrations were determined using microdialysis and compared with plasma concentrations. A population PK model of SCT and plasma data was developed using NONMEM. Time above clinical breakpoint MIC for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8 mg/liter) was predicted for each patient. The following targets were evaluated: time for which the free (unbound) concentration is maintained above the MIC of at least 40% (40% fT>MIC), 100% fT>MIC, and 100% fT>4×MIC. For all dosing regimens simulated in both plasma and SCT, 40% fT>MIC was attained. However, prolonged meropenem infusion would be needed for 100% fT>MIC and 100% fT>4×MIC to be obtained. Meropenem plasma and SCT concentrations were associated with estimated creatinine clearance (eCLCr). Simulations showed that in patients with increased eCLCr, dose increment or continuous infusion may be needed to obtain therapeutic meropenem concentrations. In conclusion, our results show that using traditional targets of 40% fT>MIC for standard meropenem dosing of 1 g intravenously every 8 h is likely to provide sufficient meropenem concentration to treat the problematic pathogen P. aeruginosa for patients receiving ECMO treatment. However, for patients with an increased eCLCr, or if more aggressive targets, like 100% fT>MIC or 100% fT>4×MIC, are adopted, incremental dosing or continuous infusion may be needed.

Bone and subcutaneous adipose tissue pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in total knee replacement patients.

Background and purpose - The incidence of orthopedic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections is increasing. Vancomycin may therefore play an increasingly important role in orthopedic perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis. Studies investigating perioperative bone and soft tissue concentrations of vancomycin are sparse and challenged by a lack of appropriate methods. We assessed single-dose plasma, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCT) and bone concentrations of vancomycin using microdialysis in male patients undergoing total knee replacement. Methods - 1,000 mg of vancomycin was administered postoperatively intravenously over 100 minutes to 10 male patients undergoing primary total knee replacement. Vancomycin concentrations in plasma, SCT, cancellous, and cortical bone were measured over the following 8 hours. Microdialysis was applied for sampling in solid tissues. Results - For all solid tissues, tissue penetration of vancomycin was significantly impaired. The time to a mean clinically relevant minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2 mg/L was 3, 36, 27, and 110 min for plasma, SCT, cancellous, and cortical bone, respectively. As opposed to the other compartments, a mean MIC of 4 mg/L could not be reached in cortical bone. The area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to the last measured value and peak drug concentrations (Cmax) for SCT, cancellous, and cortical bone was lower than that of free plasma. The time to Cmax was higher for all tissues compared with free plasma. Interpretation - Postoperative penetration of vancomycin to bone and SCT was impaired and delayed in male patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery. Adequate perioperative vancomycin concentrations may not be reached using standard prophylactic dosage.

Vancomycin concentrations in the cervical spine after intravenous administration: results from an experimental pig study.

Background and purpose - Vancomycin may be an important drug for intravenous perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis in spine surgery. We assessed single-dose vancomycin intervertebral disc, vertebral cancellous bone, and subcutaneous adipose tissue concentrations using microdialysis in a pig model. Material and methods - 8 female pigs received 1,000 mg of vancomycin intravenously as a single dose over 100 minutes. Microdialysis probes were placed in the C3-C4 intervertebral disc, C3 vertebral cancellous bone, and subcutaneous adipose tissue, and vancomycin concentrations were obtained over 8 hours. Venous blood samples were obtained as reference. Results - Ranging from 0.24 to 0.60, vancomycin tissue penetration, expressed as the ratio of tissue to plasma area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to the last measured value, was incomplete for all compartments. The lowest penetration was found in the intervertebral disc. The time to a mean clinically relevant minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 4 µg/mL was 3, 17, 25, and 156 min for plasma, subcutaneous adipose tissue, vertebral cancellous bone, and the intervertebral disc, respectively. In contrast to the other compartments, a mean MIC of 8 µg/mL was not reached in the intervertebral disc. An approximately 3-times longer elimination rate was observed in the intervertebral disc in comparison with all the other compartments (p < 0.001), and the time to peak drug concentration was higher for all tissues compared with plasma Interpretation - Preoperative administration of 1,000 mg of vancomycin may provide adequate vancomycin tissue concentrations with a considerable delay, though tissue penetration was incomplete. However, in order also to achieve adequate intervertebral disc concentrations in all individuals and accommodating a potentially higher MIC target, supplemental application of vancomycin may be necessary.

Microdialysis as a sampling tool for the chemotherapeutic agent Doxorubicin.

Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic agent used for more than fifty years to treat a great variety of cancers in both children and adults. Despite hereof, pharmacokinetic knowledge is almost solely based on systemic plasma concentrations. Microdialysis is a catheter-based pharmacokinetic sampling tool enabling simultaneous target site sampling of unbound molecules of interest. The aim of this study was to thoroughly evaluate the feasibility of applying microdialysis for sampling of Doxorubicin in both in vitro experiments and an in vivo setting. Doxorubicin relative recovery by gain and by loss was tested for different catheter types, perfusion fluids, concentrations and collection vials. Adsorption tests revealed polystyrene/santoprene vials to be the biggest contributor of unwanted adsorption between Doxorubicin and the microdialysis equipment, and confirmed LoBind Eppendorf tubes to be a suitable alternative. The methodological combination of polyamide membranes, saline as perfusion fluid and LoBind Eppendorf sampling tubes demonstrated no statistically significant differences for relative recovery by gain and by loss, and the relative recovery was also found to be concentration independent. We conclude, that a proper microdialysis set-up can be used to collect samples containing concentrations of the chemotherapeutic drug Doxorubicin in vitro and in vivo, which encourage future pharmacokinetic studies to evaluate current treatment regimens to find the most effective and least toxic anti-neoplastic treatment for the patients.

Factors affecting lymph node yield and density in neck dissection.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that neck dissections with a minimum of 16-18 yielded nodes are associated with better overall survival compared to neck dissections with lower yields. AIMS: We aimed to identify factors affecting the lymph node yield and density in patients with oral cavity cancer undergoing elective neck dissection levels 1-3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using prospectively registered data, we conducted a population-based cohort study on all patients surgically treated for oral cavity cancer including levels 1-3 neck dissection at our institution from 2018 to 2022. Uni and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with lymph node yields. RESULTS: In total, 221 patients were included. The mean lymph nodes yield and density were 19 (95%CI 18-20) and 0.12 (95%CI 0.09-0.16), respectively. In multivariate analysis, increasing body weight (p = .034) was positively and previous radiotherapy (p = .006) were negatively correlated with the number of yielded lymph nodes. Lymph node density was positively correlated with body weight (p = .011) and body mass index (p = .032) in univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Increasing body weight was positively and previous radiotherapy was negatively correlated to lymph node yield. These factors should be taken into consideration when interpreting the lymph node yield as an indicator of neck dissection quality.

Doxorubicin concentrations in bone tumour-relevant tissues after bolus and continuous infusion: a randomized porcine microdialysis study.

PURPOSE: Doxorubicin is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug that can be administered intravenously as both a bolus infusion and a continuous infusion. The latter is believed to lower the risk of cardiotoxicity, which is a critical long-term complication of doxorubicin treatment. The local tissue concentrations of doxorubicin will be reflected in both treatment efficacy and toxicity, but very limited information is available. The aim of this study was to measure the concentration of doxorubicin after continuous and bolus infusion in tissue compartments around a typical location of a bone tumour. METHODS: Sixteen pigs (female, Danish Landrace, mean weight 77 kg) were randomized into two groups of eight. Both groups received an intravenous infusion of 150 mg doxorubicin; Group 1 received a bolus infusion (10-15 min) and Group 2 received a continuous infusion (6 h). Before infusion, microdialysis catheters were placed intravenously and in four bone tumour-relevant tissue compartments (cancellous bone, subcutaneous tissue, synovial fluid of the knee joint and muscle tissue). Sampling was done (n = 15) over 24 h, and venous blood samples were collected as a reference. RESULTS: Area under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-24 h) for plasma (total concentration) was significantly different between the two groups, while peak drug concentration (Cmax) was significantly higher in two compartments (plasma and synovial fluid of the knee joint) in Group 1 compared to Group 2. Overall, the unbound tissue concentrations were extremely low with values below 0.20 µg/mL. CONCLUSION: The pharmacokinetic profile for doxorubicin in the investigated tissues is very similar when comparing bolus and 6 h continuous infusion.

Rifampicin does not reduce moxifloxacin concentrations at the site of infection and may not improve treatment outcome of a one-stage exchange surgery protocol of implant-associated osteomyelitis lesions in a porcine model.

We aimed to evaluate moxifloxacin steady-state concentrations in infected bone and soft tissue and to explore the additive microbiological and pathological treatment effect of rifampicin to standard moxifloxacin treatment of implant-associated osteomyelitis (IAO). 16 pigs were included. On Day 0, IAO was induced in the proximal tibia using a susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strain. On Day 7, the pigs underwent one-stage exchange surgery of the IAO lesions and were randomized to receive seven days of intravenous antibiotic treatment of either rifampicin combined with moxifloxacin or moxifloxacin monotherapy. On Day 14, microdialysis was applied for continuous sampling (8 h) of moxifloxacin concentrations. Microbiological, macroscopical pathology, and histopathological analyses were performed postmortem. Steady-state moxifloxacin area under the concentration-time curve was lower in the combination therapy group in plasma (total) and subcutaneous tissue compartments (infected and noninfected) (p < 0.04), while no differences were found in bone compartments. No additional treatment effect of rifampicin to moxifloxacin treatment was found (p = 0.57). Conclusive, additive rifampicin treatment does not reduce moxifloxacin concentrations at the infection site. Rifampicin treatment may not be necessary in a one-stage exchange treatment of IAO. However, our sample size and treatment period may have been too small and short to reveal true clinical differences.

Penicillin Concentrations in Oropharyngeal and Frontal Sinus Tissue Following Enteral and Intravenous Administration Measured by Microdialysis in a Porcine Model.

BACKGROUND: Penicillin may be administered enterally or intravenously for the treatment of bacterial infections within the oropharynx and the frontal sinuses. We aimed to assess and compare penicillin concentrations in oropharyngeal and frontal sinus tissues following enteral and intravenous administration in a porcine model. METHOD: Twelve pigs were randomized to receive either enteral (0.8 g Penicillin V) or intravenous (1.2 g Penicillin G) penicillin. Microdialysis was used for sampling in oropharyngeal and frontal sinus tissues during a six-hour dosing interval. In addition, plasma samples were collected. The primary endpoints were time with drug concentration above the minimal inhibitory concentration (T>MIC) for two MIC targets: 0.125 (low target) and 0.5 (high target) µg/mL (covering Group A Streptococci, Fusobactarium necrophorum, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenza) and attainment of these treatment targets for ≥50%T>MIC. RESULTS: For both the low and high MIC targets, intravenous administration resulted in higher T>MIC in oropharyngeal and frontal sinus tissues compared to enteral administration. In oropharyngeal tissue, the treatment target (≥50% T>MIC) was achieved for both the low target (96%) and high target (68%) when penicillin was administrated intravenously. In frontal sinus tissue, the treatment target was reached for the low target (70%), but not the high target (35%) when administered intravenously. None of the two tissues reached the treatment targets when penicillin was administered enterally. CONCLUSION: Intravenous administrated penicillin in standard dosage is superior to enteral administration of penicillin in standard dosage in achieving clinically important T>MIC as the majority of targets were achieved following intravenously administration, while none of the targets were achieved following enteral administration. These results support the general notion of higher tissue concentrations following intravenous compared to enteral administration.

Comparison of Intravenous Microdialysis and Standard Plasma Sampling for Monitoring of Vancomycin and Meropenem Plasma Concentrations-An Experimental Porcine Study.

Microdialysis is a catheter-based method suitable for dynamic sampling of unbound antibiotic concentrations. Intravenous antibiotic concentration sampling by microdialysis has several advantages and may be a superior alternative to standard plasma sampling. We aimed to compare concentrations obtained by continuous intravenous microdialysis sampling and by standard plasma sampling of both vancomycin and meropenem in a porcine model. Eight female pigs received 1 g of both vancomycin and meropenem, simultaneously over 100 and 10 min, respectively. Prior to drug infusion, an intravenous microdialysis catheter was placed in the subclavian vein. Microdialysates were collected for 8 h. From a central venous catheter, plasma samples were collected in the middle of every dialysate sampling interval. A higher area under the concentration/time curve and peak drug concentration were found in standard plasma samples compared to intravenous microdialysis samples, for both vancomycin and meropenem. Both vancomycin and meropenem concentrations obtained with intravenous microdialysis were generally lower than from standard plasma sampling. The differences in key pharmacokinetic parameters between the two sampling techniques underline the importance of further investigations to find the most suitable and reliable method for continuous intravenous antibiotic concentration sampling.

Evaluation of cefuroxime concentration in the intrathecal and extrathecal compartments of the lumbar spine-an experimental study in pigs.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Optimal antibiotic prophylaxis is crucial to prevent postoperative infection in spinal surgery. Sufficient time above the minimal inhibitory concentration (fT > MIC) for relevant bacteria in target tissues is required for cefuroxime. We assessed cefuroxime concentrations and fT > MIC of 4 µg·ml-1 for Staphylococcus aureus in the intrathecal (spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid, CSF) and extrathecal (epidural space) compartments of the lumbar spine. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Eight female pigs were anaesthetized and laminectomized at L3-L4. Microdialysis catheters were placed for sampling in the spinal cord, CSF, and epidural space. A single dose of 1500 mg cefuroxime was administered intravenously over 10 min. Microdialysates and plasma were obtained continuously during 8 h. Cefuroxime concentrations were determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. KEY RESULTS: Mean fT > MIC (4 µg·ml-1 ) was 58 min in the spinal cord, 0 min in the CSF, 115 min in the epidural space, and 123 min in plasma. Tissue penetration was 32% in the spinal cord, 7% in the CSF, and 63% in the epidural space. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: fT > MIC (4 µg·ml-1 ) and tissue penetration for cefuroxime were lower in the intrathecal compartments (spinal cord and CSF) than in the extrathecal compartment (epidural space) and plasma, suggesting a significant effect of the blood-brain barrier. In terms of fT > MIC, a single dose of 1500 mg cefuroxime seems inadequate to prevent intrathecal infections related to spinal surgery for bacteria presenting with a MIC target of 4 µg· ml-1 or above.

Concentrations of Co-Administered Meropenem and Vancomycin in Spinal Tissues Relevant for the Treatment of Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis-An Experimental Microdialysis Study.

Co-administration of meropenem and vancomycin has been suggested as a systemic empirical antibiotic treatment of pyogenic spondylodiscitis. The aim of this study was, in an experimental porcine model, to evaluate the percentage of an 8-h dosing interval of co-administered meropenem and vancomycin concentrations above the relevant minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) (%T>MIC) in spinal tissues using microdialysis. Eight female pigs (Danish Landrace breed, weight 78-82 kg) received a single-dose bolus infusion of 1000 mg of meropenem and 1000 mg vancomycin simultaneously before microdialysis sampling. Microdialysis catheters were applied in the third cervical (C3) vertebral cancellous bone, the C3-C4 intervertebral disc, paravertebral muscle, and adjacent subcutaneous tissue. Plasma samples were obtained for reference. The main finding was that for both drugs, the %T>MICs were highly reliant on the applied MIC target, but were heterogeneous across all targeted tissues, ranging from 25-90% for meropenem, and 10-100% for vancomycin. For both MIC targets, the highest %T>MIC was demonstrated in plasma, and the lowest %T>MIC was demonstrated in the vertebral cancellous bone for meropenem, and in the intervertebral disc for vancomycin. When indicated, our findings may suggest a more aggressive dosing approach of both meropenem and vancomycin to increase the spinal tissue concentrations to treat the full spectrum of potentially encountered bacteria in a spondylodiscitis treatment setting.

Steady-State Piperacillin Concentrations in the Proximity of an Orthopedic Implant: A Microdialysis Porcine Study.

Implant-associated osteomyelitis is one of the most feared complications following orthopedic surgery. Although the risk is low, sufficient antibiotic protection of the implant surface is important. The aim of this study was to assess steady-state piperacillin concentrations in the proximity of an orthopedic implant. Time above the minimal inhibitory concentration (fT>MIC) was evaluated for MIC of 8 (low target) and 16 µg/mL (high target). Six female pigs received an intravenous bolus infusion of 4 g/0.5 g piperacillin/tazobactam over 30 min every 6 h. Steady state was assumed achieved in the third dosing interval (12-18 h). Microdialysis catheters were placed in a cannulated screw in the proximal tibial cancellous bone, in cancellous bone next to the screw, and in cancellous bone on the contralateral tibia. Dialysates were collected from time 12 to 18 h and plasma samples were collected as reference. For the low piperacillin target (8 µg/mL), comparable mean fT>MIC across all the investigated compartments (mean range: 54-74%) was found. For the high target (16 µg/mL), fT>MIC was shorter inside the cannulated screw (mean: 16%) than in the cancellous bone next to the screw and plasma (mean range: 49-54%), and similar between the two cancellous bone compartments. To reach more aggressive piperacillin fT>MIC targets in relation to the implant, alternative dosing regimens such as continuous infusion may be considered.

Piperacillin Steady State Concentrations in Target Tissues Relevant for PJI Treatment-A Randomized Porcine Microdialysis Study Comparing Continuous Infusion with Intermittent Short-Term Infusion.

(1) Introduction: Piperacillin is a common antibiotic choice in the treatment of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the time with free piperacillin concentration above the minimum inhibitory concentration (fT > MIC) at steady state in target tissues relevant for PJI treatment following continuous and intermittent short-term infusion. (2) Methods: 16 pigs were randomized to receive either continuous or intermittent short-term infusion of piperacillin. Steady state piperacillin concentrations were assessed using microdialysis in tibial cortical bone, tibial cancellous bone, synovial fluid of the knee joint, and subcutaneous tissue. MIC-targets of 4, 8, 16, and 64 mg/L were applied. Plasma samples were obtained as reference. (3) Results: Continuous infusion resulted in longer fT > MIC for MIC targets of 4 mg/L and 8 mg/L compared to intermittent short-term infusion in all compartments with the exception of tibial cortical bone. For the MIC-target of 16 mg/L, continuous infusion resulted in a longer fT > MIC in all compartments except for the bone compartments. No differences between groups were seen when applying a MIC-target of 64 mg/L. (4) Conclusions: An aggressive dosing strategy may be necessary to obtain sufficient piperacillin concentrations in all bone compartments, particularly if more aggressive targets are applied. Based on the present study, continuous infusion should be considered in the treatment of PJI.

Cefuroxime concentrations in the anterior and posterior column of the lumbar spine - an experimental porcine study.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Surgical site infection following spine surgery is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis is a key factor in lowering the risk of acquiring an infection. Previous studies have assessed perioperative cefuroxime concentrations in the anterior column of the cervical spine with an anterior surgical approach. However, the majority of surgeries are performed in the posterior column and many surgeries involve the lumbar spine. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the perioperative tissue concentrations of cefuroxime in the anterior and posterior column during lumbar spine surgery with a posterior surgical approach. STUDY DESIGN: In vivo experimental pharmacokinetic study of cefuroxime concentrations in an acute preclinical porcine model. METHODS: The lumbar vertebral column was exposed from L1 to L5 in 8 female pigs. Microdialysis catheters were placed for sampling in the anterior column (vertebral body) and posterior column (posterior arch) within the same vertebra (L5). Cefuroxime (1.5 g) was administered intravenously. Microdialysates and plasma samples were continuously obtained over 8 hours. Cefuroxime concentrations were quantified by Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry. The primary endpoint was the time above the cefuroxime clinical breakpoint minimal inhibitory concentration (T>MIC) for Staphylococcus aureus of 4 µg/mL. The secondary endpoint was tissue penetration (AUCtissue/AUCplasma). RESULTS: Mean T>MIC 4 µg/mL (95% confidence interval) was 123 min (105-141) in plasma, 97 min (79-115) in the anterior column and 93 min (75-111) in the posterior column. Tissue penetration (95% confidence interval) was incomplete for both the anterior column 0.48 (0.40-0.56) and posterior column 0.40 (0.33-0.48). CONCLUSIONS: T>MIC was comparable between the anterior and posterior column. Mean cefuroxime concentrations decreased below the clinical breakpoint minimal inhibitory concentration for S. aureus of 4 µg/mL after 123 minutes (plasma), 97 minutes (anterior column) and 93 minutes (posterior column). This is shorter than the duration of most lumbar spine surgeries, and therefore alternative dosing regimens should be considered in posterior open lumbar spine surgeries lasting more than 1.5 hours. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Open lumbar spine surgery often involves extensive soft tissue dissection, stripping and retraction of the paraspinal muscles which may impair the local blood flow exposing the lumbar vertebra to postoperative infections. A single intravenous administration of 1.5 g cefuroxime only provided sufficient prophylactic target tissue concentrations in the vertebra of the lumbar spine for up to 1.5 hours.

Intermittent Short-Term Infusion vs. Continuous Infusion of Piperacillin: Steady State Concentrations in Porcine Cervical Spine Tissue Evaluated by Microdialysis.

Background: Piperacillin is a central drug in the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa spondylodiscitis. Intermittent short-term infusion (STI) remains standard treatment in most centres, although the application of continuous infusion (CI) has shown promising results in other clinical settings. We aimed to evaluate time above the minimal inhibitory concentration (fT > MIC) of the free fraction of piperacillin in steady state conditions in porcine cervical spine tissue following CI and STI using microdialysis with MIC targets of 4, 8, and 16 µg/mL. Methods: 16 female pigs were randomized to receive piperacillin/tazobactam as STI (4/0.5 g every 6 h) or CI (4/0.5 g as a bolus followed by 12/1.5 g) for 18 h. Microdialysis catheters were placed for sampling of piperacillin concentrations from the intervertebral disc, vertebral cancellous bone, paravertebral muscle, and adjacent subcutaneous tissue during the third dosing interval (12−18 h). Blood samples were collected as reference. Results: CI resulted in fT > MIC > 82% across all compartments and targets, except for intervertebral disc (37%) and vertebral cancellous bone (28%) at MIC = 16 µg/mL. In Group STI, >72% fT > MIC was reached for MIC = 4 µg/mL in all investigated compartments, while for MIC = 16 µg/mL only subcutaneous tissue exhibited fT > MIC > 50%. Conclusion: CI of piperacillin resulted in higher fT > MIC compared to STI infusion across the investigated tissues and targets. CI should therefore be considered in spondylodiscitis cases requiring piperacillin treatment.