In vivo activities of ceftolozane, a new cephalosporin, with and without tazobactam against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae, including strains with extended-spectrum ß-lactamases, in the thighs of neutropenic mice.

Ceftolozane is a new cephalosporin with potent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae. A neutropenic murine thigh infection model was used to determine which pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic index and magnitude drives the efficacy of ceftolozane with Gram-negative bacilli, to compare the rates of in vivo killing of P. aeruginosa by ceftolozane and ceftazidime, and to determine the impact of different ratios of ceftolozane plus tazobactam on Enterobacteriaceae containing extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs). Neutropenic mice had 10(6.2-7.1) CFU/thigh when treated with ceftolozane for 24 h with (i) various doses (3.12 to 1,600 mg/kg) and dosage intervals (3, 6, 12, and 24 h) against two Enterobacteriaceae strains, (ii) 0.39 to 800 mg/kg every 6 h for four Enterobacteriaceae and four P. aeruginosa strains, and (iii) 400 or 800 mg/kg with 2:1. 4:1, and 8:1 ratios of tazobactam against five Enterobacteriaceae strains with ESBLs. The pharmacokinetics of ceftolozane at 25, 100, and 400 mg/kg were linear with peak/dose values of 1.0 to 1.4 and half-lives of 12 to 14 min. T>MIC was the primary index driving efficacy. For stasis (1 log kill), T>MIC was 26.3% ± 2.1% (31.6% ± 1.6%) for wild-type Enterobacteriaceae, 31.1% ± 4.9% (34.8% ± 4.4%) for Enterobacteriaceae with ESBLs, and 24.0% ± 3.3% (31.5% ± 3.9%) for P. aeruginosa. At 200 mg/kg every 3 h, the rate of in vivo killing of P. aeruginosa was faster with ceftolozane than with ceftazidime (-0.34 to -0.41 log10 CFU/thigh/h versus -0.21 to -0.24 log10 CFU/thigh/h). The 2:1 ratio of ceftolozane with tazobactam was the most potent combination studied. The T>MIC required for ceftolozane is less than with other cephalosporins and may be due to more rapid killing.

In vivo pharmacodynamic characterization of a novel plectasin antibiotic, NZ2114, in a murine infection model.

NZ2114 is a novel plectasin derivative with potent activity against gram-positive bacteria, including multiply drug-resistant strains. We used the neutropenic murine thigh infection model to characterize the time course of antimicrobial activity of NZ2114 and determine which pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) index and magnitude best correlated with efficacy. Serum drug levels following administration of three fourfold-escalating single-dose levels of NZ2114 were measured by microbiologic assay. Single-dose time-kill studies following doses of 10, 40, and 160 mg/kg of body weight demonstrated concentration-dependent killing over the dose range (0.5 to 3.7 log(10) CFU/thigh) and prolonged postantibiotic effects (3 to 15 h) against both Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Mice had 10(6.3) to 10(6.8) CFU/thigh of strains of S. pneumoniae or S. aureus at the start of therapy when treated for 24 h with 0.625 to 160 mg/kg/day of NZ2114 fractionated for 4-, 6-, 12-, and 24-h dosing regimens. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to determine which PK/PD index best correlated with microbiologic efficacy. Efficacies of NZ2114 were similar among the dosing intervals (P = 0.99 to 1.0), and regression with the 24-h area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)/MIC index was strong (R(2), 0.90) for both S. aureus and S. pneumoniae. The maximum concentration of drug in serum/MIC index regression was also strong for S. pneumoniae (R(2), 0.96). Studies to identify the PD target for NZ2114 utilized eight S. pneumoniae and six S. aureus isolates and an every-6-h regimen of drug (0.156 to 160 mg/kg/day). Treatment against S. pneumoniae required approximately twofold-less drug for efficacy in relationship to the MIC than did treatment against S. aureus. The free drug 24-h AUCs/MICs necessary to produce a stasis effect were 12.3 +/- 6.7 and 28.5 +/- 11.1 for S. pneumoniae and S. aureus, respectively. The 24-h AUC/MIC associated with a 1-log killing endpoint was only 1.6-fold greater than that needed for stasis. Resistance to other antimicrobial classes did not impact the magnitude of the PD target required for efficacy. The PD target in this model should be considered in the design of clinical trials with this novel antibiotic.

Correlation of MIC with outcome for Candida species tested against caspofungin, anidulafungin, and micafungin: analysis and proposal for interpretive MIC breakpoints.

The CLSI Antifungal Subcommittee followed the M23-A2 "blueprint" to develop interpretive MIC breakpoints for anidulafungin, caspofungin, and micafungin against Candida species. MICs of < or = 2 microg/ml for all three echinocandins encompass 98.8 to 100% of all clinical isolates of Candida spp. without bisecting any species group and represent a concentration that is easily maintained throughout the dosing period. Data from phase III clinical trials demonstrate that the standard dosing regimens for each of these agents may be used to treat infections due to Candida spp. for which MICs are as high as 2 microg/ml. An MIC predictive of resistance to these agents cannot be defined based on the data from clinical trials due to the paucity of isolates for which MICs exceed 2 microg/ml. The clinical data set included only three isolates from patients treated with an echinocandin (caspofungin) for which the MICs were > 2 microg/ml (two C. parapsilosis isolates at 4 microg/ml and one C. rugosa isolate at 8 microg/ml). Based on these data, the CLSI subcommittee has decided to recommend a "susceptible only" breakpoint MIC of < or = 2 microg/ml due to the lack of echinocandin resistance in the population of Candida isolates thus far. Isolates for which MICs exceed 2 microg/ml should be designated "nonsusceptible" (NS). For strains yielding results suggestive of an NS category, the organism identification and antimicrobial-susceptibility test results should be confirmed. Subsequently, the isolates should be submitted to a reference laboratory that will confirm the results by using a CLSI reference dilution method.

In vivo fluconazole pharmacodynamics and resistance development in a previously susceptible Candida albicans population examined by microbiologic and transcriptional profiling.

Antimicrobial drug resistance can limit the ability to effectively treat patients. Numerous factors have been proposed to impact the development of antimicrobial resistance, including those specific to the drug and the dosing regimen. The field of investigation that examines the relationship between dosing regimen and outcome is termed antimicrobial pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Our prior in vivo investigations examined the relationship between fluconazole pharmacodynamics and the modulation of isogenic resistant and susceptible Candida albicans populations in a mixed-inoculum design (1). The goal of the current studies was to examine the impact of fluconazole pharmacodynamics on resistance emergence from a susceptible parent population over time using a murine systemic-candidiasis model. Both microbiologic and transcriptional endpoints were examined during the evolution of cell populations. As in our previous investigation, the more frequently administered dosing regimen prevented the emergence of a resistant cell phenotype. Conversely, dosing regimens that produced prolonged sub-MIC concentrations were associated with resistance development. The studies also demonstrated a striking relationship between fluconazole pharmacodynamic exposures and the mRNA abundance of drug resistance-associated efflux pumps. Global transcriptional profiling of cell populations during the progressive emergence of a resistance phenotype provides insight into the mechanisms underlying this complex physiologic process.

Pharmacodynamics of a new cephalosporin, PPI-0903 (TAK-599), active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in murine thigh and lung infection models: identification of an in vivo pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic target.

PPI-0903 is a new cephalosporin with broad-spectrum activity, including beta-lactam-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. We used the neutropenic murine thigh and lung infection models to examine the pharmacodynamic characteristics of PPI-0903. Serum drug levels following four fourfold-escalating single doses of PPI-0903 were measured by microbiologic assay. In vivo postantibiotic effects (PAEs) were determined after doses of 1.56, 6.25, 25, and 100 mg/kg of body weight in mice infected with S. pneumoniae ATCC 10813, S. aureus ATCC 29213, or Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Dose fractionation studies over a 24-h dose range of 0.39 to 1,600 mg/kg were administered every 3, 6, 12, or 24 hours. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to determine which pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) index (total and free 65% drug) best correlated with CFU/thigh at 24 h. Similar to other beta-lactam antibiotics, PPI-0903 produced short to modest in vivo PAEs with either S. pneumoniae or E. coli. The percent time that serum concentrations were above the MIC (%T>MIC) was the PK-PD index that best correlated with efficacy (R2=84 to 88% for the three organisms, compared with 9 to 41% for peak/MIC and 30 to 82% for the area under the concentration-time curve/MIC). In subsequent studies we used the neutropenic murine thigh infection model to determine if the magnitude of the free-drug % T>MIC needed for efficacy of PPI-0903 varied among pathogens (including resistant strains). Mice infected with one of five isolates of S. pneumoniae, four isolates of S. aureus, or four gram-negative bacilli were treated for 24 h with 0.10 to 400 mg/kg of PPI-0903 every 6 h. A sigmoid dose-response model was used to estimate the doses (mg/kg/24 h) required to achieve a net bacteriostatic affect over 24 h and to produce a reduction in the burden of organisms from the start of therapy by 1 and 2 log10 CFU/thigh. MICs ranged from 0.008 to 1 microg/ml.Mean free-drug %T >MICs the standard deviation associated with the static effect endpoint for S. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and gram-negative isolates were 39±9, 26±8, and 47±8, respectively [corrected]. Methicillin and penicillin resistance did not alter the magnitude of free-drug %T>MIC required for efficacy. The free-drug %T>MIC necessary for efficacy was slightly reduced in animals with normal neutrophil counts. Treatment effect was similar in both the thigh and lung infection models. The pharmacodynamic characteristics of PPI-0903 are similar to those of other compounds within the cephalosporin class.

Pharmacodynamics of a new streptogramin, XRP 2868, in murine thigh and lung infection models.

XRP 2868 is a new streptogramin antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive cocci. We used the neutropenic murine thigh and lung infection models to characterize the time course of antimicrobial activity of XRP 2868 and determine which pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) parameter and magnitude best correlated with efficacy. Serum levels following four two- to fourfold-escalating single-dose levels of XRP 2868 were measured by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry assay. In vivo postantibiotic effects (PAEs) were determined after doses of 2.5, 10, and 40 mg/kg. Mice had 10(6.8) to 10(8.4) CFU/thigh of strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC 10813 or Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 at the start of therapy when treated for 24 h with 2.5 to 640 mg/kg/day of XRP 2868 fractionated for 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-h dosing regimens. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to determine which PK/PD parameter best correlated with CFU/thigh at 24 h. Pharmacokinetic studies exhibited peak dose values of 0.03 to 0.07, area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) dose values of 0.02 to 0.07, and half-lives of 0.35 to 1.27 h. XRP 2868 produced in vivo PAEs of 0.5 to 3.4 h with S. pneumoniae strain ATCC 10813 and -1.5 to 10.7 h with S. aureus strain ATCC 29213. The 24-h AUC/MIC was the PK/PD parameter that best correlated with efficacy. In subsequent studies, we used the neutropenic murine thigh infection model to determine if the magnitude of the AUC/MIC needed for the efficacy of XRP 2868 varied among pathogens (including resistant strains). Mice had 10(6.1) to 10(7.8) CFU/thigh of four isolates of S. aureus (three methicillin-susceptible and one methicillin-resistant strain) and nine isolates of S. pneumoniae (one penicillin-susceptible, four penicillin-intermediate, and four penicillin-resistant strains) when treated for 24 h with 0.16 to 640 mg/kg of XRP 2868 every 6 h. A sigmoid dose-response model was used to estimate the doses (mg/kg/24 h) required to achieve a net bacteriostatic affect over 24 h. MICs ranged from 0.06 to 0.25 microg/ml. The 24-h AUC/MICs for each static dose (20.7 to 252 mg/kg/day) varied from 3 to 70. Mean 24-h AUC/MICs +/- standard deviations (SDs) for S. pneumoniae and S. aureus isolates were 14 +/- 10 and 31 +/- 16, respectively. Beta-lactam and macrolide resistance did not alter the magnitude of AUC/MIC required for efficacy.

Treatment of infections with ESBL-producing organisms: pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations.

Susceptibility surveillance investigations have demonstrated an increased incidence of ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacilli. Case cohort studies have suggested clinical relevance associated with ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaciae infection. Yet, current laboratory reporting guidelines classify a large percentage of these organisms in the susceptible category. The regulatory agencies Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (formly NCCLS) and EUCAST, which oversee these guidelines are in the process of re-evaluating the appropriateness of the current classification system. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies examine the relationship between drug exposure (pharmacokinetics), antibiotic potency (MIC), and treatment efficacy. PK/PD studies and analyses have been useful in demonstrating the relevance of increasingly less susceptible pathogens and specific emerging resistance mechanisms. Recent investigations have examined the impact of ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacilli relative to advanced generation cephalosporin pharmacokinetics. Animal model studies suggest that the pharmacodynamic target associated with efficacy in treatment of ESBL-producing organisms is the same as that in therapy against non-ESBL-producing bacteria (50% T>MIC). Simulation of human pharmacokinetics can predict the likelihood of achieving this PD target with specific cephalosporin dosing regimens. In general, the exposure from usual regimens of the advanced generation cephalosporins would not be anticipated to achieve the PD target for many of the organisms currently classified as susceptible. PK/PD analyses should be useful in re-evaluating current susceptibility breakpoints for ESBL-producing organisms and for optimising drug and regimen choice in treatment of these infections.

Pharmacodynamics of a new triazole, posaconazole, in a murine model of disseminated candidiasis.

Previous in vivo studies have characterized the pharmacodynamic characteristics of two triazole compounds, fluconazole and ravuconazole. These investigations demonstrated that the 24-h area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)/MIC ratio is the critical pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) parameter associated with treatment efficacy. Further analysis demonstrated that a free-drug triazole 24-h AUC/MIC ratio of 20 to 25 was predictive of treatment success in both experimental models and clinical trials. We used a neutropenic murine model of disseminated Candida albicans infection to similarly characterize the time course activity of the new triazole, posaconazole. The PK-PD parameters (percent time above MIC, AUC/MIC ratio, and peak serum drug level/MIC ratio) were correlated with in vivo efficacy, as measured by organism number in kidney cultures after 48 h of therapy. Kinetics and protein binding following oral posaconazole dosing were performed in neutropenic infected mice. Peak levels and AUC from 0 h to infinity values were nonlinear over the 16-fold dose range studied. Serum drug elimination half-life ranged from 12.0 to 17.7 h. Protein binding was 99%. Single dose postantifungal effect studies demonstrated prolonged suppression of organism regrowth after serum posaconazole levels had fallen below the MIC. Treatment efficacy with the four dosing intervals studied was similar, supporting the AUC/MIC ratio as the PK-PD parameter predictive of efficacy. Nonlinear regression analysis also suggested that the AUC/MIC ratio was strongly predictive of treatment outcomes (AUC/MIC ratio R(2) = 83%; peak serum drug/MIC ratio R(2) = 85%; time that serum levels of posaconazole remained above the MIC R(2) = 65%). Similar studies were conducted with 11 additional C. albicans isolates with various posaconazole susceptibilities (MIC, 0.015 to 0.12 micro g/ml) to determine if a similar 24-h AUC/MIC ratio was associated with efficacy. The posaconazole free-drug AUC/MIC ratios were similar for all of the organisms studied (6.12 to 26.7, mean +/- SD = 16.9 +/- 7.8, P value, 0.42). These free-drug AUC/MIC ratios are similar to those observed for other triazoles in this model.

Pharmacodynamics of the new des-f(6)-quinolone garenoxacin in a murine thigh infection model.

Garenoxacin is a new des-F(6)-quinolone with broad-spectrum activity against both gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli. We used the neutropenic murine thigh infection model to characterize the time course of antimicrobial activity of garenoxacin and determine which pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) parameter best correlated with efficacy. Serum drug levels following three fourfold-escalating single-dose levels of garenoxacin were measured by microbiologic assay. In vivo postantibiotic effects (PAEs) were determined after doses of 16 and 64 mg/kg of body weight. Mice had 10(6.5) to 10(6.7) CFU of Streptococcus pneumoniae strain ATCC 10813 or Staphylococcus aureus strain ATCC 33591 per thigh when they were treated for 24 h with garenoxacin at a dose of 4 to 128 mg/kg/day fractionated for 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-hour dosing regimens. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to determine which PK-PD parameter best correlated with the measurement of CFU/thigh at 24 h. Pharmacokinetic studies yielded peak/dose values of 0.2 to 0.3, area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)/dose values of 0.1 to 0.5, and half-lives of 0.7 to 1.6 h. Garenoxacin produced in vivo PAEs of 1.4 to 8.2 h with S. pneumoniae ATCC 10813, 7.6 to >12.4 h with S. aureus ATCC 25923, and 0 to 1.5 h with Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 43816. The 24-h AUC/MIC ratio was the PK-PD parameter that best correlated with efficacy (R2=71 to 90% for the two organisms compared with 43 to 56% for the peak/MIC ratio and 47 to 75% for percent time above the MIC [% T>MIC]). In subsequent studies we used the neutropenic murine thigh infection model to determine if the magnitude of the AUC/MIC ratio needed for efficacy of garenoxacin varied among pathogens (including resistant strains). Mice had 10(5.9) to 10(7.2) CFU of 6 strains of S. aureus (2 methicillin resistant), 11 strains of S. pneumoniae (5 penicillin susceptible, 1 penicillin intermediate, and 5 penicillin resistant, and of the resistant strains, 3 were also ciprofloxacin resistant), and 4 gram-negative strains per thigh when treated for 24 h with 1 to 64 mg of garenoxacin per kg every 12 h. A sigmoid dose-response model was used to estimate the doses (mg/kg/24 h) required to achieve a net bacteriostatic effect over 24 h. MICs ranged from 0.008 to 4 microg/ml. The free drug 24-h AUC/MIC ratios for each static dose (2.8 to 128 mg/kg/day) varied from 8.2 to 145. The mean 24-h AUC/MIC ratios +/- standard deviations for S. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and gram-negative strains were 33 +/- 18, 81 +/- 37, and 33 +/- 30, respectively. Methicillin, penicillin, or ciprofloxacin resistance did not alter the magnitude of the AUC/MIC ratio required for efficacy.

In vivo pharmacodynamics of HMR 3270, a glucan synthase inhibitor, in a murine candidiasis model.

In vivo pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic characterization for numerous antibacterial compounds has had a significant impact upon optimal dosing regimen design and the development of in vivo susceptibility breakpoints. More recently, similar characterization has been undertaken for antifungal drug classes. Very little is known of these pharmacodynamic relationships for the new echinocandin class of compounds. We utilized a neutropenic murine model of disseminated candidiasis to describe the time course antifungal activity of HMR 3270, a new glucan synthase inhibitor. Single-dose in vivo time kill studies with four 16-fold escalating doses demonstrated concentration-dependent killing when drug levels in serum were more than four times the MIC. Postantifungal effects were dose dependent, ranging from 8 to 80 h duration. Multiple dosing regimen studies utilized six total doses, four dosing intervals, and a treatment duration of 6 days. Shortening the dosing interval from every 144 h (q144h) to q36h resulted in a fourfold rise in the dose necessary to achieve a net fungistatic effect. The peak/MIC ratio most strongly correlated with treatment outcomes (peak/MIC ratio, R(2) = 98%; ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h to the MIC, R(2) = 79%, percentage of time above the MIC, R(2) = 61%). Studies were also conducted with five additional Candida albicans isolates to determine if a similar peak/MIC ratio was associated with efficacy. In vivo concentration-dependent killing was similarly observed in studies with each of the additional isolates. The peak/MIC ratio necessary to produce efficacy was relatively similar among the strains studied (P = 0.42). The peak/MIC ratio (mean +/- standard deviation) necessary to achieve a fungistatic effect was 3.72 +/- 1.84, and the ratio necessary to achieve maximal killing was near 10.

In vivo pharmacodynamics of a new triazole, ravuconazole, in a murine candidiasis model.

In vivo studies have characterized the pharmacodynamic characteristics of the triazole fluconazole. These investigations demonstrated that the ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h to the MIC (24-h AUC/MIC ratio) is the critical pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) parameter associated with treatment efficacy. Further analysis demonstrated that a fluconazole 24-h AUC/MIC ratio of 20 to 25 was predictive of treatment success in both experimental models and clinical trials. We used a neutropenic murine model of disseminated Candida albicans infection to similarly characterize the time course activity of the new triazole ravuconazole. The PK/PD parameters (percent time above the MIC, AUC/MIC ratio, and peak level in serum/MIC ratio) were correlated with in vivo efficacy, as measured by organism number in kidney cultures after 24 and 72 h of therapy. Ravuconazole kinetics and protein binding were performed in neutropenic infected mice. Peak/dose and AUC/dose values ranged from 0.03 to 0.04 and 0.30 to 0.34, respectively. Serum elimination half-life ranged from 3.9 to 4.8 h. Protein binding was 95.8%. Single-dose postantifungal effect studies demonstrated prolonged suppression of organism regrowth after serum ravuconazole levels had fallen below the MIC. Treatment efficacies with the five dosing intervals studied were similar, supporting the argument for the AUC/MIC ratio as the PK/PD parameter predictive of efficacy. Nonlinear regression analysis also suggested that the AUC/MIC ratio was strongly predictive of treatment outcomes (AUC/MIC ratio, R(2) = 91%; peak/MIC ratio, R(2) = 85%; percent time above the MIC, R(2) = 47 to 65%). Similar studies were conducted with seven additional C. albicans isolates with various ravuconazole susceptibilities (MIC, 0.016 to 0.12 micro g/ml) to determine if a similar 24-h AUC/MIC ratio was associated with efficacy. The ravuconazole free-drug AUC/MIC ratios were similar for all of the organisms studied (10 to 36; mean +/- SD = 20.3 +/- 8.2; P = 0.43). These free-drug AUC/MIC ratios are similar to those observed for fluconazole in this model.

Animal model pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: a critical review.

Animals have been extensively used in the evaluation of antimicrobials. The value of animals in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characterization of antimicrobials is critically reviewed. Animal studies have demonstrated that the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) target determining efficacy can vary for different classes of antimicrobials. However, the magnitude of the target required for bacteriological efficacy is relatively similar for various sites of infection, various pathogens and various drugs within the same class, provided free drug levels are used.

In vivo characterization of the pharmacodynamics of flucytosine in a neutropenic murine disseminated candidiasis model.

In vivo pharmacodynamic parameters have been characterized for a variety of antibacterial agents. These parameters have been studied in correlation with in vivo outcomes in order to determine (i) which dosing parameter is predictive of outcome and (ii) the magnitude of that parameter associated with efficacy. Very little is known of the pharmacodynamics of antifungal agents. We used a neutropenic murine model of disseminated candidiasis to correlate the pharmacodynamic parameters (percentage of time above the MIC, area under the concentration-time curve [AUC]/MIC and peak level/MIC) for flucytosine (5-FC) in vivo with efficacy as measured by organism number in homogenized kidney cultures after 24 h of therapy. The pharmacokinetics of 5-FC in infected mice were linear. Serum half-lives ranged from 0.36 to 0.43 h. Infection was achieved by intravenous inoculation of 10(6) CFU of yeast cells per ml via the lateral tail vein of neutropenic mice. Groups of mice were treated with fourfold escalating total doses of 5-FC ranging from 1.56 to 400 mg/kg of body weight/day divided into one, two, four, or eight doses over 24 h. Increasing doses produced minimal concentration-dependent killing ranging from 0 to 0.9 log(10) CFU/kidneys. 5-FC did, however, produce a dose-dependent suppression of growth after levels in serum had fallen below the MIC. The fungistatic dose increased from 6 to 8 mg/kg with dosing every 3 and 6 h to 70 mg/kg at with dosing every 24 h. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to determine which pharmacodynamic parameter best correlated with efficacy. Time above the MIC was the parameter best predictive of outcome, while AUC/MIC was only slightly less predictive (time above MIC, R(2) = 85%; AUC/MIC, R(2) = 77%; peak level/MIC, R(2) = 53%). Maximal efficacy was observed when levels exceeded the MIC for only 20 to 25% of the dosing interval. If one considers drug kinetics in humans, these results suggest reevaluation of current dosing regimens.

Characterization and quantitation of the pharmacodynamics of fluconazole in a neutropenic murine disseminated candidiasis infection model.

We determined the pharmacodynamic parameter and the magnitude of that parameter that was predictive of the efficacy of fluconazole in the treatment of disseminated candidiasis. We used a neutropenic murine model of disseminated Candida albicans infection to characterize the time course of activity of fluconazole. Quantitation of colony counts in kidneys after 24 h of therapy with a wide range of doses and three dosing intervals was used to determine the dose required to achieve 50% of the maximal effect (ED(50)). The ED(50) was similar for each of the dosing intervals studied, supporting the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) MIC ratio as the parameter that predicts the efficacy of fluconazole. Similar studies were performed with C. albicans strains for which fluconazole MICs are in the susceptible-dose-dependent range (MICs, 16 to 32 mg/liter). We found that the magnitude of the AUC/MIC ratio required to reach the ED(50) was similar for all three organisms studied, ranging from 12 to 25. When the pharmacokinetics of fluconazole in humans are considered, these AUC/MIC ratios would support in vitro susceptibility breakpoints of 8 mg/liter for dosages of 200 mg/day and susceptibility breakpoints of 16 to 32 mg/liter for dosages of 400 to 800 mg/day.

In vivo activities of amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate against Streptococcus pneumoniae: application to breakpoint determinations.

The in vivo activities of amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate against 17 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae with penicillin MICs of 0.12-8.0 mg/liter were assessed in a cyclophosphamide-induced neutropenic murine thigh infection model. Renal impairment was produced by administration of uranyl nitrate to prolong the amoxicillin half-life in the mice from 21 to 65 min, simulating human pharmacokinetics. Two hours after thigh infection with 10(5) to 10(6) CFU, groups of mice were treated with 7 mg of amoxicillin per kg of body weight alone or combined with clavulanate (ratio, 4:1) every 8 h for 1 and 4 days. There was an excellent correlation between the MIC of amoxicillin (0.03 to 5.6 mg/liter) and (i) the change in log10 CFU/thigh at 24 h and (ii) survival after 4 days of therapy. Organisms for which MICs were 2 mg/liter or less were killed at 1.4 to 4.2 and 1.6 to 4.1 log10 CFU/thigh at 24 h by amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate, respectively. The four strains for which MICs were >4 mg/liter grew 0.2 to 2.6 and 0.6 to 2. 3 logs at 24 h despite therapy with amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate, respectively. Infection was uniformly fatal by 72 h in untreated mice. Amoxicillin therapy resulted in no mortality with organisms for which MICs were 1 mg/liter or less, 20 to 40% mortality with organisms for which MICs were 2 mg/liter, and 80 to 100% mortality with organisms for which MICs were 4.0-5.6 mg/liter. Lower and higher doses (0.5, 2, and 20 mg/kg) of amoxicillin were studied against organisms for which MICs were near the breakpoint. These studies demonstrate that a reduction of 1 log10 or greater in CFU/thigh at 24 h is consistently observed when amoxicillin levels exceed the MIC for 25 to 30% of the dosing interval. These studies would support amoxicillin (and amoxicillin-clavulanate) MIC breakpoints of 1 mg/liter for susceptible, 2 mg/liter for intermediate, and 4 mg/liter for resistant strains of S. pneumoniae.

Parenteral versus oral antibiotic therapy.

The past decade has seen the increased use of oral therapy for a variety of serious infections that were previously treated exclusively by parenteral therapy. A variety of clinical trials in patients with pneumonia, urinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections, osteomyelitis, and bacteremia have demonstrated equal efficacy between oral and parenteral therapy. Much of this success is due to the availability of new oral agents, such as the fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins, with enhanced activity against gram-negative bacilli and improved pharmacokinetics. Oral therapy with certain of these drugs provides the same therapeutic serum levels required for efficacy that are obtained with parenteral therapy, that is, a 24-hour AUC/MIC above 125 for fluoroquinolones and levels constantly above the MIC for cephalosporins and other beta-lactams. Oral therapy can also reduce the costs of antimicrobial therapy.