Outbreak of Mycobacterium orygis in a Shipment of Cynomolgus Macaques Imported from Southeast Asia - United States, February-May 2023.

Nonhuman primates (NHP) can become infected with the same species of Mycobacteria that cause human tuberculosis. All NHP imported into the United States are quarantined and screened for tuberculosis; no confirmed cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed among NHP during CDC-mandated quarantine during 2013-2020. In February 2023, an outbreak of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium orygis was detected in a group of 540 cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) imported to the United States from Southeast Asia for research purposes. Although the initial exposure to M. orygis is believed to have occurred before the macaques arrived in the United States, infected macaques were first detected during CDC-mandated quarantine. CDC collaborated with the importer and U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratories in the investigation and public health response. A total of 26 macaques received positive test results for M. orygis by culture, but rigorous occupational safety protocols implemented during transport and at the quarantine facility prevented cases among caretakers in the United States. Although the zoonotic disease risk to the general population remains low, this outbreak underscores the importance of CDC's regulatory oversight of NHP importation and adherence to established biosafety protocols to protect the health of the United States research animal population and the persons who interact with them.

Decisions to attend holiday gatherings during COVID-19 and engagement in key prevention strategies: United States, January 2021.

Gatherings where people are eating and drinking can increase the risk of getting and spreading SARS-CoV-2 among people who are not fully vaccinated; prevention strategies like wearing masks and physical distancing continue to be important for some groups. We conducted an online survey to characterise fall/winter 2020-2021 holiday gatherings, decisions to attend and prevention strategies employed during and before gatherings. We determined associations between practicing prevention strategies, demographics and COVID-19 experience. Among 502 respondents, one-third attended in person holiday gatherings; 73% wore masks and 84% practiced physical distancing, but less did so always (29% and 23%, respectively). Younger adults were 44% more likely to attend gatherings than adults ≥35 years. Younger adults (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 1.53, 95% CI 1.19-1.97), persons who did not experience COVID-19 themselves or have relatives/close friends experience severe COVID-19 (aPR 1.56, 95% CI 1.18-2.07), and non-Hispanic White persons (aPR 1.57, 95% CI 1.13-2.18) were more likely to not always wear masks in public during the 2 weeks before gatherings. Public health messaging emphasizing consistent application of COVID-19 prevention strategies is important to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Comparison of Molecular Subtyping and Antimicrobial Resistance Detection Methods Used in a Large Multistate Outbreak of Extensively Drug-Resistant Campylobacter jejuni Infections Linked to Pet Store Puppies.

Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of enteric bacterial illness in the United States. Traditional molecular subtyping methods, such as pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and 7-gene multilocus sequence typing (MLST), provided limited resolution to adequately identify C. jejuni outbreaks and separate out sporadic isolates during outbreak investigations. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has emerged as a powerful tool for C. jejuni outbreak detection. In this investigation, 45 human and 11 puppy isolates obtained during a 2016-2018 outbreak linked to pet store puppies were sequenced. Core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) and high-quality single nucleotide polymorphism (hqSNP) analysis of the sequence data separated the isolates into the same two clades containing minor within-clade differences; however, cgMLST analysis does not require selection of an appropriate reference genome, making the method preferable to hqSNP analysis for Campylobacter surveillance and cluster detection. The isolates were classified as sequence type 2109 (ST2109)-a rarely seen MLST sequence type. PFGE was performed on 38 human and 10 puppy isolates; PFGE patterns did not reliably predict clustering by cgMLST analysis. Genetic detection of antimicrobial resistance determinants predicted that all outbreak-associated isolates would be resistant to six drug classes. Traditional antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) confirmed a high correlation between genotypic and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance determinations. WGS analysis linked C. jejuni isolates in humans and pet store puppies even when canine exposure information was unknown, aiding the epidemiological investigation during the outbreak. WGS data were also used to quickly identify the highly drug-resistant profile of these outbreak-associated C. jejuni isolates.

Differences Among Incidence Rates of Invasive Listeriosis in the U.S. FoodNet Population by Age, Sex, Race/Ethnicity, and Pregnancy Status, 2008-2016.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that disproportionally affects pregnant females, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. Using U.S. Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) surveillance data, we examined listeriosis incidence rates and rate ratios (RRs) by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and pregnancy status across three periods from 2008 to 2016, as recent incidence trends in U.S. subgroups had not been evaluated. The invasive listeriosis annual incidence rate per 100,000 for 2008-2016 was 0.28 cases among the general population (excluding pregnant females), and 3.73 cases among pregnant females. For adults ≥70 years, the annual incidence rate per 100,000 was 1.33 cases. No significant change in estimated listeriosis incidence was found over the 2008-2016 period, except for a small, but significantly lower pregnancy-associated rate in 2011-2013 when compared with 2008-2010. Among the nonpregnancy-associated cases, RRs increased with age from 0.43 (95% confidence interval: 0.25-0.73) for 0- to 14-year olds to 44.9 (33.5-60.0) for ≥85-year olds, compared with 15- to 44-year olds. Males had an incidence of 1.28 (1.12-1.45) times that of females. Compared with non-Hispanic whites, the incidence was 1.57 (1.18-1.20) times higher among non-Hispanic Asians, 1.49 (1.22-1.83) among non-Hispanic blacks, and 1.73 (1.15-2.62) among Hispanics. Among females of childbearing age, non-Hispanic Asian females had 2.72 (1.51-4.89) and Hispanic females 3.13 (2.12-4.89) times higher incidence than non-Hispanic whites. We observed a higher percentage of deaths among older patient groups compared with 15- to 44-year olds. This study is the first characterizing higher RRs for listeriosis in the United States among non-Hispanic blacks and Asians compared with non-Hispanic whites. This information for public health risk managers may spur further research to understand if differences in listeriosis rates relate to differences in consumption patterns of foods with higher contamination levels, food handling practices, comorbidities, immunodeficiencies, health care access, or other factors.

Multidrug-Resistant Campylobacter jejuni Outbreak Linked to Puppy Exposure - United States, 2016-2018.

Campylobacter causes an estimated 1.3 million diarrheal illnesses in the United States annually (1). In August 2017, the Florida Department of Health notified CDC of six Campylobacter jejuni infections linked to company A, a national pet store chain based in Ohio. CDC examined whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data and identified six isolates from company A puppies in Florida that were highly related to an isolate from a company A customer in Ohio. This information prompted a multistate investigation by local and state health and agriculture departments and CDC to identify the outbreak source and prevent additional illness. Health officials from six states visited pet stores to collect puppy fecal samples, antibiotic records, and traceback information. Nationally, 118 persons, including 29 pet store employees, in 18 states were identified with illness onset during January 5, 2016-February 4, 2018. In total, six pet store companies were linked to the outbreak. Outbreak isolates were resistant by antibiotic susceptibility testing to all antibiotics commonly used to treat Campylobacter infections, including macrolides and quinolones. Store record reviews revealed that among 149 investigated puppies, 142 (95%) received one or more courses of antibiotics, raising concern that antibiotic use might have led to development of resistance. Public health authorities issued infection prevention recommendations to affected pet stores and recommendations for testing puppies to veterinarians. This outbreak demonstrates that puppies can be a source of multidrug-resistant Campylobacter infections in humans, warranting a closer look at antimicrobial use in the commercial dog industry.

Investigation of Escherichia coli Harboring the mcr-1 Resistance Gene - Connecticut, 2016.

The mcr-1 gene confers resistance to the polymyxins, including the antibiotic colistin, a medication of last resort for multidrug-resistant infections. The mcr-1 gene was first reported in 2015 in food, animal, and patient isolates from China (1) and is notable for being the first plasmid-mediated colistin resistance mechanism to be identified. Plasmids can be transferred between bacteria, potentially spreading the resistance gene to other bacterial species. Since its discovery, the mcr-1 gene has been reported from Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and North America (2,3), including the United States, where it has been identified in Escherichia coli isolated from three patients and from two intestinal samples from pigs (2,4-6). In July 2016, the Pathogen Detection System at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (Bethesda, Maryland) identified mcr-1 in the whole genome sequence of an E. coli isolate from a Connecticut patient (7); this is the fourth isolate from a U.S. patient to contain the mcr-1 gene.

Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance of Campylobacter Infections in the United States, 2005-2018.

Background: Campylobacter is the most common cause of bacterial diarrhea in the United States; resistance to macrolides and fluoroquinolones limits treatment options. We examined the epidemiology of US Campylobacter infections and changes in resistance over time. Methods: The Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network receives information on laboratory-confirmed Campylobacter cases from 10 US sites, and the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System receives a subset of isolates from these cases for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. We estimated trends in incidence of Campylobacter infection, adjusting for sex, age, and surveillance changes attributable to culture-independent diagnostic tests. We compared percentages of isolates resistant to erythromycin or ciprofloxacin during 2005-2016 with 2017-2018 and used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association of international travel with resistance. Results: Adjusted Campylobacter incidence remained stable or decreased for all groups analyzed since 2012. Among 2449 linked records in 2017-2018, the median patient age was 40.2 years (interquartile range, 21.6-57.8 years), 54.8% of patients were male, 17.2% were hospitalized, and 0.2% died. The percentage of resistant infections increased from 24.5% in 2005-2016 to 29.7% in 2017-2018 for ciprofloxacin (P < .001) and from 2.6% to 3.3% for erythromycin (P = .04). Persons with recent international travel had higher odds than nontravelers of having isolates resistant to ciprofloxacin (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] varied from 1.7 to 10.6 by race/ethnicity) and erythromycin (aOR = 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-2.1). Conclusions: Campylobacter incidence has remained stable or decreased, whereas resistance to antimicrobials recommended for treatment has increased. Recent international travel increased the risk of resistance.

Oral combination therapy with a nucleoside polymerase inhibitor (RG7128) and danoprevir for chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 infection (INFORM-1): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation trial.

BACKGROUND: Present interferon-based standard of care treatment for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is limited by both efficacy and tolerability. We assessed the safety, tolerability, and antiviral activity of an all-oral combination treatment with two experimental anti-HCV drugs-RG7128, a nucleoside polymerase inhibitor; and danoprevir, an NS3/4A protease inhibitor-in patients with chronic HCV infection. METHODS: Patients from six centres in New Zealand and Australia who were chronically infected with HCV genotype 1 received up to 13 days oral combination treatment with RG7128 (500 mg or 1000 mg twice daily) and danoprevir (100 mg or 200 mg every 8 h or 600 mg or 900 mg twice daily) or placebo. Eligible patients were sequentially enrolled into one of seven treatment cohorts and were randomly assigned by interactive voice or web response system to either active treatment or placebo. Patients were separately randomly assigned within each cohort with a block size that reflected the number of patients in the cohort and the ratio of treatment to placebo. The random allocation schedule was computer generated. Dose escalation was started in HCV treatment-naive patients; standard of care treatment-experienced patients, including previous null responders, were enrolled in higher-dose danoprevir cohorts. Investigators, personnel at the study centre, and patients were masked to treatment allocation. However, the pharmacist who prepared the doses, personnel involved in pharmacokinetic sample analyses, statisticians who prepared data summaries, and the clinical pharmacologists who reviewed the data before deciding to initiate dosing in the next cohort were not masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome was change in HCV RNA concentration from baseline to day 14 in patients who received 13 days of combination treatment. All patients who completed treatment with the study drugs were included in the analyses. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00801255. FINDINGS: 88 patients were randomly assigned to a study drug treatment regimen (n=74 over seven treatment groups; 73 received at least one dose of study drug) or to placebo (n=14, all of whom received at least one dose). The median change in HCV RNA concentration from baseline to day 14 ranged from -3·7 to -5·2 log(10) IU/mL in the cohorts that received 13 days of combination treatment. At the highest combination doses tested (1000 mg RG7128 and 900 mg danoprevir twice daily), the median change in HCV RNA concentration from baseline to day 14 was -5·1 log(10) IU/mL (IQR -5·6 to -4·7) in treatment-naive patients and -4·9 log(10) IU/mL in previous standard of care null responders (-5·2 to -4·5) compared with an increase of 0·1 log(10) IU/mL in the placebo group. The combination of RG7128 and danoprevir was well tolerated with no treatment-related serious or severe adverse events, no grade 3 or 4 changes in laboratory parameters, and no safety-related treatment discontinuations. INTERPRETATION: This oral combination of a nucleoside analogue polymerase inhibitor and protease inhibitor holds promise as an interferon-free treatment for chronic HCV. FUNDING: Roche Palo Alto.

Ongoing Outbreak of Extensively Drug-Resistant Campylobacter jejuni Infections Associated With US Pet Store Puppies, 2016-2020.

Importance: Extensively drug-resistant Campylobacter jejuni infections cannot be treated with any commonly recommended antibiotics and pose an increasing public health threat. Objectives: To investigate cases of extensively drug-resistant C jejuni associated with pet store puppies and describe the epidemiologic and laboratory characteristics of these infections. Design, Setting, and Participants: In August 2017, health officials identified, via survey, patients with C jejuni infections who reported contact with puppies sold by pet stores. In conjunction with state and federal partners, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigated cases of culture-confirmed C jejuni infections in US patients with an epidemiologic or molecular association with pet store puppies between January 1, 2016, and February 29, 2020. Available records from cases occurring before 2016 with genetically related isolates were also obtained. Main Outcomes and Measures: Patients were interviewed about demographic characteristics, health outcomes, and dog exposure during the 7 days before illness onset. Core genome multilocus sequence typing was used to assess isolate relatedness, and genomes were screened for resistance determinants to predict antibiotic resistance. Isolates resistant to fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and 3 or more additional antibiotic classes were considered to be extensively drug resistant. Cases before 2016 were identified by screening all sequenced isolates submitted for surveillance using core genome multilocus sequence typing. Results: A total of 168 patients (median [interquartile range] age, 37 [19.5-51.0] years; 105 of 163 female [64%]) with an epidemiologic or molecular association with pet store puppies were studied. A total of 137 cases occurred from January 1, 2016, to February 29, 2020, with 31 additional cases dating back to 2011. Overall, 117 of 121 patients (97%) reported contact with a dog in the week before symptom onset, of whom 69 of 78 (88%) with additional information reported contact with a pet store puppy; 168 isolates (88%) were extensively drug resistant. Traceback investigation did not implicate any particular breeder, transporter, distributer, store, or chain. Conclusions and Relevance: Strains of extensively drug-resistant C jejuni have been circulating since at least 2011 and are associated with illness among pet store customers, employees, and others who come into contact with pet store puppies. The results of this study suggest that practitioners should ask about puppy exposure when treating patients with Campylobacter infection, especially when they do not improve with routine antibiotics, and that the commercial dog industry should take action to help prevent the spread of extensively drug-resistant C jejuni from pet store puppies to people.

Agritourism and Kidding Season: A Large Outbreak of Human Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O157 (STEC O157) Infections Linked to a Goat Dairy Farm-Connecticut, 2016.

The objective of this study was to determine sources of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (STEC O157) infection among visitors to Farm X and develop public health recommendations. A case-control study was conducted. Case-patients were defined as the first ill child (aged <18 years) in the household with laboratory-confirmed STEC O157, or physician-diagnosed hemolytic uremic syndrome with laboratory confirmation by serology, who visited Farm X in the 10 days prior to illness. Controls were selected from Farm X visitors aged <18 years, without symptoms during the same time period as case-patients. Environment and animal fecal samples collected from Farm X were cultured; isolates from Farm X were compared with patient isolates using whole genome sequencing (WGS). Case-patients were more likely than controls to have sat on hay bales at the doe barn (adjusted odds ratio: 4.55; 95% confidence interval: 1.41-16.13). No handwashing stations were available; limited hand sanitizer was provided. Overall, 37% (29 of 78) of animal and environmental samples collected were positive for STEC; of these, 62% (18 of 29) yielded STEC O157 highly related by WGS to patient isolates. STEC O157 environmental contamination and fecal shedding by goats at Farm X was extensive. Farms should provide handwashing stations with soap, running water, and disposable towels. Access to animal areas, including animal pens and enclosures, should be limited for young children who are at risk for severe outcomes from STEC O157 infection. National recommendations should be adopted to reduce disease transmission.

Efficacy and safety of tarenflurbil in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a randomised phase II trial.

BACKGROUND: The amyloid-beta peptide Abeta(42) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aimed to test the effects of tarenflurbil, a selective Abeta(42)-lowering agent (SALA), on cognition and function in patients with mild to moderate AD. METHODS: 210 patients living in the community who had a mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score of 15-26 were randomly assigned to receive tarenflurbil twice per day (400 mg [n=69] or 800 mg [n=70]) or placebo (n=71) for 12 months in a phase II, multicentre, double-blind study. Primary efficacy outcomes were the AD assessment scale cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study activities of daily living scale (ADCS-ADL), and the clinical dementia rating sum of boxes (CDR-sb). In a 12-month extended treatment phase, patients who had received tarenflurbil continued to receive the same dose, and patients who had received placebo were randomly assigned to tarenflurbil at 800 mg or 400 mg twice per day. Primary efficacy analyses were done by intention to treat. This trial is registered with Health Canada (084527) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the UK (20365/0001/A 69316). FINDINGS: A prespecified interaction analysis revealed that patients with mild AD (baseline MMSE 20-26) and moderate AD (baseline MMSE 15-19) responded differently to tarenflurbil in the ADAS-cog and the ADCS-ADL (p>or=0.10); therefore, these groups were analysed separately. Patients with mild AD in the 800 mg tarenflurbil group had lower rates of decline than did those in the placebo group in activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL difference in slope 3.98 [95% CI 0.33 to 7.62] points per year, effect size [reduction from placebo decline rate] 46.4%, Cohen's d 0.45; p=0.033) and global function (CDR-sb difference -0.80 [-1.57 to -0.03] points per year, effect size 35.7%, Cohen's d 0.42; p=0.042); slowing of cognitive decline did not differ significantly (ADAS-cog difference -1.36 [-4.07 to 1.36] points per year, effect size 33.7%, Cohen's d 0.20; p=0.327). In patients with moderate AD, 800 mg tarenflurbil twice per day had no significant effects on ADCS-ADL and ADAS-cog and had a negative effect on CDR-sb (-52%, Cohen's d -1.08; p=0.003). The most common adverse events were diarrhoea (in seven, nine, and five patients in the 800 mg, 400 mg, and placebo groups, respectively), nausea (in seven, seven, and four patients), and dizziness (in five, nine, and four patients). Patients with mild AD who were in the 800 mg tarenflurbil group for 24 months had lower rates of decline for all three primary outcomes than did patients who were in the placebo group for months 0-12 and a tarenflurbil group for months 12-24 (all p<0.001), and had better outcomes than did patients who were in the placebo group for months 0-12 and the 800 mg tarenflurbil group for months 12-24 (all p<0.05). INTERPRETATION: 800 mg tarenflurbil twice per day was well tolerated for up to 24 months of treatment, with evidence of a dose-related effect on measures of daily activities and global function in patients with mild AD. FUNDING: Myriad Pharmaceuticals.

Oral bioavailability of posaconazole in fasted healthy subjects: comparison between three regimens and basis for clinical dosage recommendations.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Posaconazole is a potent, extended-spectrum triazole antifungal agent currently in clinical development for the treatment of invasive fungal infections. This study was conducted to compare the bioavailability and resulting serum concentrations of posaconazole 800 mg following administration of three different dose regimens to fasting adults. STUDY DESIGN: This was a randomised, open-label, three-way crossover study. METHODS: Subjects fasted 12 hours before and 48 hours after the administration of posaconazole oral suspension (800 mg) given as a single dose (regimen A), 400 mg every 12 hours (regimen B) or 200 mg every 6 hours (regimen C). Plasma posaconazole concentrations were determined for 48 hours after the initial dose and subjects completed a 1-week washout period between treatment regimens. A one-compartment oral model with first-order rate of absorption and first-order rate of elimination was fitted to the plasma concentration-time data. Differences in exposure were investigated by allowing the bioavailability fraction to vary among regimens. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: A total of 18 healthy men were enrolled in and completed the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS: Posaconazole relative bioavailability was estimated to be significantly different among regimens (p < 0.0001) and increased with the number of doses, such that regimen B/regimen A = 1.98 +/- 0.35, representing a 98% increase, and regimen C/regimen A = 3.20 +/- 0.69, or a 220% increase. With use of the one-compartment model, the population steady-state values for area under the concentration-time curve over 24 hours were predicted to be 3900, 7700 and 12 400 microg.h/L, with average plasma concentrations of 162, 320 and 517 microg/L for regimens A, B and C, respectively. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that divided daily dose administration (every 12 or 6 hours) significantly increases posaconazole exposure under fasted conditions.

Ribavirin dosing in chronic hepatitis C: application of population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic models.

BACKGROUND: Combination therapy of ribavirin with interferon alfa-2b and pegylated interferon alfa-2b is currently approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Approved ribavirin dosages vary from a fixed dosage of 800 mg/d to as much as 1200 mg/d on the basis of body weight. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate ribavirin dosing strategies by comparison of their relative efficacy and toxicity profiles. METHODS: Three models were developed on the basis of data collected from a large phase III trial. A population pharmacokinetic model was used to describe the ribavirin dose-concentration relationship and the influence of covariates. Logistic regression models were developed for both sustained virologic response and hematologic toxicity. Ribavirin concentration was an important explanatory variable for both response and toxicity. Simulations of these models were developed for different ribavirin doses to obtain efficacy and toxicity profiles across the various dosing strategies. These strategies included a fixed 800-mg/d dose, empiric weight-adjusted doses (ie, 1000 mg/d for patients who weighed < or =75 kg and 1200 mg/d for patients who weighed >75 kg [1000/1200 mg/d on the basis of body weights < or =75/>75 kg] and 800 mg/d for patients who weighed <65 kg, 1000 mg/d for patients who weighed from 65 to 85 kg, and 1200 mg/d for patients who weighed >85 kg [800/1000/1200 mg/d on the basis of body weights <65/65-85/>85 kg]), a dose of 13 mg/kg per day, and other per-body weight doses between 9 and 16 mg/kg per day. RESULTS: Simulation results showed that both efficacy and toxicity increased as the milligrams-per-kilogram dose of ribavirin increased. The body weight-based 800/1000/1200-mg/d dose had overall response and toxicity rates that were 6.3% and 2.5% higher than those of the fixed 800-mg/d dose. In particular, patients with genotype-1 disease had a 7.4% increase in response rate. There were no differences in response and toxicity rates between the 800/1000/1200-mg/d and 13-mg/kg per day dose groups. CONCLUSIONS: This simulation suggests that ribavirin dosage (in combination with pegylated interferon alfa-2b) for patients with chronic hepatitis C should be based on body weight.

Use of high-performance liquid chromatographic and microbiological analyses for evaluating the presence or absence of active metabolites of the antifungal posaconazole in human plasma.

Posaconazole (SCH 56592) is a novel broad spectrum triazole antifungal agent that is currently in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of systemic fungal infections. This study was initiated to determine if orally administered posaconazole to humans would result in the formation of active metabolite(s). Plasma samples from a multiple-rising dose study in healthy volunteers were analyzed by validated HPLC and microbiological methods. The HPLC analysis involved extraction with a mixture of organic solvent (methylene chloride-hexane) followed by separation on a C18 column and quantification by UV absorbance at 262 nm. The microbiological assay was performed utilizing an agar diffusion method using Candida pseudorropicalis ATCC 46764 as the test organism. Potency was determined by comparing the growth inhibition zones produced by the test sample to those produced by standard concentrations prepared in plasma. Individual and mean plasma concentration-time profiles were similar for both HPLC and microbiological assays. The area under the plasma concentration-time curves of the microbiological and HPLC results were similar with a mean (RSD) ratio of 105.5% 15.3%), indicating that there was no relevant biologically active metabolite of posaconazole in human plasma.

Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and Abeta levels after short-term administration of R-flurbiprofen in healthy elderly individuals.

To evaluate the safety and tolerability and pharmacokinetic properties of R-flurbiprofen (Tarenflurbil) in normal elderly individuals and to determine the effect of the drug on amyloid beta 42 (Abeta42) levels, we conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 48 healthy subjects aged 55 to 80. Three successive cohorts were randomized to doses of 400, 800, or 1600 mg/d, or placebo, given as 2 divided doses for 21 days. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid were collected for pharmacokinetic studies and measurement of Abeta levels at baseline and on day 21. R-flurbiprofen was well-tolerated at all 3 doses. The compound penetrated the blood-brain barrier in a dose-dependent manner. From baseline to 21 days, comparisons between study groups revealed no significant differences in changes of cerebrospinal fluid Abeta42 levels and no significant differences in changes of plasma Abeta42 levels at the time of trough drug level at 21 days of treatment. Further analysis of drug concentration-response for plasma samples showed that at the time of peak plasma concentration, higher plasma drug concentration was related to lower Abeta42 plasma levels (P=0.016). R-flurbiprofen had an excellent safety profile and showed dose-dependent central nervous system penetration. Exploratory analyses of plasma Abeta and peak drug levels suggested a short-term effect in plasma that warrants independent verification. The safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of R-flurbiprofen in these older individuals support the ongoing studies of this compound in patients with Alzheimer disease.

A randomised trial to compare the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and antiviral effects of peginterferon alfa-2b and peginterferon alfa-2a in patients with chronic hepatitis C (COMPARE).

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To compare the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antiviral activity of peginterferon alfa-2b and peginterferon alfa-2a in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1. METHODS: Thirty-six patients were randomised to peginterferon alfa-2b (1.5 microg/kg/week) or peginterferon alfa-2a (180 microg/week) for 4 weeks, then in combination with ribavirin (13 mg/kg/day) for a further 4 weeks. The pharmacokinetic profile of both peginterferons, mRNA expression of a selected group of interferon-induced gene transcripts, and serum HCV-RNA levels were assessed. RESULTS: Patients receiving peginterferon alfa-2b had significantly greater up-regulation of interferon-alfa response genes compared with those receiving peginterferon alfa-2a. Correspondingly, patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2b also had a significantly greater log10 maximum and log10 time-weighted average decrease in serum HCV-RNA. A greater proportion of peginterferon alfa-2b patients achieved a > or = 2.0 log10 reduction in serum HCV-RNA levels by week 8 (72% vs 44% of peginterferon alfa-2a patients, P = 0.09). There was an approximately 16-fold greater exposure to peginterferon in the serum of patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the biological activity, measured by early interferon-induced gene transcripts and early antiviral responsiveness, may have been greater in patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2b despite their lower exposure to the drug compared with patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a.

Optimal dosing frequency of pegylated interferon alfa-2b monotherapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Pegylated interferon alfa-2b (PEG-IFN-alfa 2b ) has been shown to provide superior efficacy to IFN-alfa 2b in patients with chronic hepatitis C (predominantly genotype 1) infection as measured by viral clearance. This study was conducted to determine the optimal dosing regimen of PEG-IFN-alfa 2b required to obtain a maximum decrease of hepatitis C viral RNA. METHODS: This was a 24-week, open-label, multicenter, parallel-group, randomized, active-controlled trial in the United Kingdom, France, and Israel. Individuals (n = 61) with chronic hepatitis C infection, genotype 1, received IFN-alfa 2b 3 mIU 3 times weekly for 24 weeks, or PEG-IFN-alfa 2b 1.5 or 3.0 microg/kg/wk, as total weekly full or split doses, for 12 weeks. At week 12, serum RNA titer was measured, and all PEG-IFN-alfa 2b patients continued with 1.5 microg/kg/wk for a further 12 weeks. RESULTS: Mean serum hepatitis C RNA levels decreased in all groups at weeks 12 and 24. PEG-IFN-alfa 2b 1.5 microg/kg/wk was superior to IFN-alfa 2b in decreasing mean serum hepatitis C RNA ( P < .05 at week 12). The efficacy of split-dose PEG-IFN-alfa 2b 1.5 or 3.0 microg/kg/wk regimens was not significantly different from full-dose PEG-IFN-alfa 2b 1.5 microg/kg/wk. However, there was a significant decrease in neutrophil count in groups receiving PEG-IFN-alfa 2b 3.0 microg/kg/wk or lower, multiple-dose per week regimens. CONCLUSIONS: PEG-IFN-alfa 2b 1.5 microg/kg once weekly is the optimal dosing frequency for patients with chronic hepatitis C with predominantly genotype 1 infection. More frequent dosing or increasing the dose to 3.0 microg/kg/wk did not result in improved antiviral effects, but did decrease neutrophil counts.

Interferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children: efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is usually asymptomatic in children, but significant liver disease may occur. We evaluated the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin in children with chronic HCV. We determined the optimal ribavirin dose in an initial cohort of a phase 1 study and then subsequently used it, in combination with interferon alfa-2b, in a second cohort of this study and a phase 3 trial. The primary efficacy endpoint in all studies was sustained virological response, defined by undetectable serum HCV RNA 24 weeks after completion of therapy. All efficacy and safety analyses were performed on the intent-to-treat population. Children receiving interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin 15 mg/kg/d in the phase 1 study had the maximum reduction in serum HCV RNA at treatment weeks 4 and 12 with an acceptable safety profile. This ribavirin dose was selected as optimal and used in all subsequent studies. In all, 46% (54/118) of optimally treated children achieved sustained virological response. Sustained virological response was significantly higher in children with HCV genotype 2/3 (84%) than in those with HCV genotype 1 (36%). Adverse events led to dose modification in 37 (31%) and discontinuation in 8 (7%). Multiple-dose interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin peak and trough concentrations and area-under-the-curve were similar between children and adults. In conclusion, interferon alfa-2b in combination with ribavirin is effective and safe in children with chronic hepatitis C virus.