FDA Approval Summary: Enfortumab Vedotin plus Pembrolizumab for Cisplatin-Ineligible Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma.

On April 3, 2023, the FDA granted accelerated approval to enfortumab vedotin-ejfv (EV) plus pembrolizumab for treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who are ineligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy. Substantial evidence of effectiveness was obtained from EV-103/KEYNOTE-869 (NCT03288545), a multicohort study. Across cohorts, a total of 121 patients received EV 1.25 mg/kg (maximum of 125 mg) intravenously on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle plus pembrolizumab 200 mg intravenously on day 1 of each 21-day cycle until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The major efficacy outcome measures were objective response rate (ORR) and duration of response (DoR), determined by blinded independent central review using RECIST v1.1. The confirmed ORR in 121 patients was 68% (95% confidence interval, 59-76), including 12% with complete responses. The median DoR for the 82 responders was 22 months (range: 1+ to 46+). The safety profile of the combination comprised adverse reactions expected to occur with the corresponding monotherapies, but with overall increased frequency of adverse reactions, including skin toxicity, pneumonitis, and peripheral neuropathy. The article summarizes the data and the FDA thought process supporting accelerated approval of EV + pembrolizumab, as well as additional exploratory analyses conducted by the FDA.

Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Target Attainment Analyses Evaluating Omadacycline Dosing Regimens for the Treatment of Patients with Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia Arising from Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.

Omadacycline, a novel aminomethylcycline with in vitro activity against Gram-positive and -negative organisms, including Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, is approved in the United States to treat patients with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP). Using nonclinical pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) targets for efficacy and in vitro surveillance data for omadacycline against S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae, and a population pharmacokinetic model, PK-PD target attainment analyses were undertaken using total-drug epithelial lining fluid (ELF) and free-drug plasma exposures to evaluate omadacycline 100 mg intravenously (i.v.) every 12 h or 200 mg i.v. every 24 h (q24h) on day 1, followed by 100 mg i.v. q24h on day 2 and 300 mg orally q24h on days 3 to 5 for patients with CABP. Percent probabilities of PK-PD target attainment on days 1 and 2 by MIC were assessed using the following four approaches for selecting PK-PD targets: (i) median, (ii) second highest, (iii) highest, and (iv) randomly assigned total-drug ELF and free-drug plasma ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve to the MIC (AUC/MIC ratio) targets associated with a 1-log10 CFU reduction from baseline. Percent probabilities of PK-PD target attainment based on total-drug ELF AUC/MIC ratio targets on days 1 and 2 were ≥91.1% for S. pneumoniae for all approaches but the highest target and ≥99.2% for H. influenzae for all approaches at MIC90s (0.12 and 1 µg/mL for S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae, respectively). Lower percent probabilities of PK-PD target attainment based on free-drug plasma AUC/MIC ratio targets were observed for randomly assigned and the highest free-drug plasma targets for S. pneumoniae and for all targets for H. influenzae. These data provided support for approved omadacycline dosing regimens to treat patients with CABP and decisions for the interpretive criteria for the in vitro susceptibility testing of omadacycline against these pathogens.

Pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics, computer decision support technologies, and antimicrobial stewardship: the compass and rudder.

The first guidelines for conducting antimicrobial stewardship in the hospitalized setting were published in 2007. These guidelines recommend that stewardship programs employ the science of pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) as well as adopting computerized decision support technologies when possible. The United States Food and Drug Administration have adopted PK-PD as a cornerstone in the evaluation of antimicrobial agents during clinical development. The core principles of PK-PD center around describing the relationship between drug exposure indexed to the susceptibility of the infecting bacterial pathogen and patient response. Using such relationships with population pharmacokinetic models and simulation, rational drug and dosing regimens can be selected. But because PK-PD modeling and simulation programs are generally absent in clinical practice, systematic application of this science is missing. Herein we explain advances in technology that allow clinicians to apply PK-PD to optimize the agents and dosing regimens selected for the treatment of hospitalized patients with infection.

Correction to: PK-PD Compass: bringing infectious diseases pharmacometrics to the patient's bedside.

The original version of this article contained incorrect Supplementary Files. The correct Supplementary Files are published with this erratum.

Dilution Factor of Quantitative Bacterial Cultures Obtained by Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Patients with Ventilator-Associated Bacterial Pneumonia.

Ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (VABP) is a difficult therapeutic problem. Considerable controversy exists regarding the optimal chemotherapy for this entity. The recent guidelines of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Thoracic Society recommend a 7-day therapeutic course for VABP based on the balance of no negative impact on all-cause mortality, less resistance emergence, and fewer antibiotic treatment days, counterbalanced with a higher relapse rate for patients whose pathogen is a nonfermenter. The bacterial burden causing an infection has a substantial impact on treatment outcome and resistance selection. We describe the baseline bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid burden of organisms in suspected VABP patients screened for inclusion in a clinical trial. We measured the urea concentrations in plasma and BAL fluid to provide an index of the dilution of the bacterial and drug concentrations in the lung epithelial lining fluid introduced by the BAL procedure. We were then able to calculate the true bacterial burden as the diluted colony count times the dilution factor. The median dilution factor was 28.7, with the interquartile range (IQR) being 11.9 to 53.2. Median dilution factor-corrected colony counts were 6.18 log10(CFU/ml) [IQR, 5.43 to 6.46 log10(CFU/ml)]. In a subset of patients, repeat BAL on day 5 showed a good stability of the dilution factor. We previously showed that large bacterial burdens reduce or stop bacterial killing by granulocytes. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01570192.).

PK-PD Compass: bringing infectious diseases pharmacometrics to the patient's bedside.

Antimicrobial stewardship programs face many challenges, one of which is a lack of guidance regarding antimicrobial dose, interval, and duration. There is no tool that considers patient demographic, pathogen susceptibility, and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) targets for efficacy in order to evaluate appropriate antimicrobial dosing regimens. The PK-PD Compass, an educational mobile application, was developed to address this unmet need. The application consists of a Monte Carlo simulation algorithm which integrates pharmacokinetic (PK) and PK-PD data, patient-specific characteristics, and pathogen susceptibility data. Through the integration of these data, the application allows practitioners to assess the percent probability of PK-PD target attainment for 35 intravenous antimicrobial agents across 29 infection categories. Population PK models for each drug were identified, evaluated, and refined as needed. Susceptibility breakpoints were based upon FDA and CLSI criteria. By incorporating these data into one interface, clinicians can select the infection, pathogen, and antimicrobial agents of interest and obtain the percent probability of PK-PD target attainment for each regimen based upon patient-specific characteristics. The antimicrobial dosing regimens provided include those recommended by standard guidelines and reference texts. However, unlike these references, potential choices are prioritized based on percent probabilities of PK-PD target attainment. Such data will educate clinicians on selecting optimized antibiotic regimens through the lens of PK-PD.

Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Gepotidacin against Gram-Positive Organisms Using Data from Murine Infection Models.

Gepotidacin (formerly called GSK2140944) is a novel triazaacenaphthylene bacterial topoisomerase inhibitor with in vitro activity against conventional and biothreat pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae Using neutropenic murine thigh and lung infection models, the pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) of gepotidacin against S. aureus and S. pneumoniae were characterized. Candidate models were fit to single-dose PK data from uninfected mice (for doses of 16 to 128 mg/kg of body weight given subcutaneously [s.c.]). Dose fractionation studies (1 isolate/organism; 2 to 512 mg/kg/day) and dose-ranging studies (5 isolates/organism; 2 to 2,048 mg/kg/day; MIC ranges of 0.5 to 2 mg/liter for S. aureus and 0.125 to 1 mg/liter for S. pneumoniae) were conducted. The presence of an in vivo postantibiotic effect (PAE) was also evaluated. Relationships between the change from baseline in log10 CFU at 24 h and the ratio of the free-drug plasma area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) to the MIC (AUC/MIC ratio), the ratio of the maximum concentration of drug in plasma (Cmax) to the MIC (Cmax/MIC ratio), and the percentage of a 24-h period that the drug concentration exceeded the MIC (%T>MIC) were evaluated using Hill-type models. Plasma and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) PK data were best fit by a four-compartment model with linear distributional clearances, a capacity-limited clearance, and a first-order absorption rate. The ELF penetration ratio in uninfected mice was 0.65. Since the growth of both organisms was poor in the murine lung infection model, lung efficacy data were not reported. As determined using the murine thigh infection model, the free-drug plasma AUC/MIC ratio was the PK-PD index most closely associated with efficacy (r2 = 0.936 and 0.897 for S. aureus and S. pneumoniae, respectively). Median free-drug plasma AUC/MIC ratios of 13.4 and 58.9 for S. aureus, and 7.86 and 16.9 for S. pneumoniae, were associated with net bacterial stasis and a 1-log10 CFU reduction from baseline, respectively. Dose-independent PAE durations of 3.07 to 12.5 h and 5.25 to 8.46 h were demonstrated for S. aureus and S. pneumoniae, respectively.

Pharmacokinetics-Pharmacodynamics of Tazobactam in Combination with Piperacillin in an In Vitro Infection Model.

We have previously demonstrated the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) index best associated with the efficacy of tazobactam when used in combination with ceftolozane to be the percentage of the dosing interval during which tazobactam concentrations remained above a threshold value (%time>threshold). Using anin vitroinfection model and the same isogenic CTX-M-15-producingEscherichia colitriplet set genetically engineered to transcribe different levels ofblaCTX-M-15, herein we describe dose fractionation studies designed to evaluate the PK-PD index associated with tazobactam efficacy, when given in combination with piperacillin, and the impact of the presence of a different ß-lactam agent, or differentblaCTX-M-15transcription levels, on the magnitude of the tazobactam PK-PD index necessary for efficacy. The recombinant strains demonstrated piperacillin MIC values of 128, >256, and >256 µg/ml for the low-, moderate-, and high-level CTX-M-15-producingE. colistrains, respectively. The MIC value for piperacillin in the presence of 4 µg/ml of tazobactam was 2 µg/ml for all three strains. The PK-PD index associated with tazobactam efficacy was confirmed to be %time>threshold, regardless of ß-lactamase transcription (r(2)= 0.839). The tazobactam concentration thresholds, however, changed with the CTX-M-15 transcription level and were 0.25, 0.5, and 2 µg/ml for the low-, moderate-, and high-level CTX-M-15-producing strains, respectively (r(2)= 0.921, 0.773, and 0.875, respectively). The %time>threshold values for tazobactam necessary for net bacterial stasis and a 1- and 2-log10-unit CFU/ml decrease from baseline at 24 h were 44.9, 62.9, and 84.9%, respectively. In addition to verifying our previous study results, these results also demonstrated that the magnitude of bacterial-cell killing associated with a ß-lactam-ß-lactamase inhibitor combination is dependent on the amount of ß-lactamase produced. These data provide important information for the development of ß-lactam-ß-lactamase inhibitor combination agents.

Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of liposomal amikacin for inhalation in cystic fibrosis patients with chronic pseudomonal infections using data from two phase 2 clinical studies.

The pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) relationships between serum exposure measures of liposomal amikacin for inhalation (LAI) and the change in pulmonary function test (PFT) measures and number of CFU from baseline were evaluated in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A dose of 70, 140, 280, or 560 mg of LAI or placebo was administered to CF patients once daily for 28 days. PFTs and sputum samples for microbiology were assessed on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 (for log10 CFU), and 56 (for PFTs). Serum, urine, and sputum samples were collected for PK evaluation. The relationships between efficacy endpoints (relative change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1 {expressed in liters}] and FEV1% predicted and the absolute change in log10 CFU of P. aeruginosa from baseline) and exposure measures (dose, day 1 area under the curve [AUC], dose/MIC ratio, and day 1 AUC/MIC ratio) and baseline MIC value were assessed. The serum and urine PK data were best fit by a 3-compartment model (lung, serum, and urine) with linear clearance and interoccasional variation on total and renal clearance. Significant univariable relationships between dose or day 1 AUC and the relative change in PFT measures (P≤0.017) or the absolute change in log10 CFU from baseline (P≤0.037) on the study days were identified. Repeated-measures mixed-effects models, which showed dose- and AUC-related improvements for each efficacy endpoint (P≤0.041), predicted the observed data well. The increases in the relative change in FEV1 and FEV1% predicted of 11% and 9.9%, respectively, and a 1.23-log10 CFU reduction per 560 mg of LAI estimated on day 7 were comparable to the observed increases of 10.7% and 10.3%, respectively, and a 1.24-log10 CFU reduction on the same day. The model-estimated PFT effects were predicted to be sustained to day 28. An additional 0.451-log10 CFU reduction (P=0.022) was estimated on day 14 relative to day 7, with a persistence of effect predicted to day 35.

Pharmacological basis of ß-lactamase inhibitor therapeutics: tazobactam in combination with Ceftolozane.

We recently investigated the pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) of tazobactam in combination with ceftolozane against an isogenic CTX-M-15-producing Escherichia coli triplet set, genetically engineered to transcribe different levels of blaCTX-M-15. The percentage of the dosing interval that tazobactam concentrations remained above a threshold (%Time>threshold) was identified as the PK-PD exposure measure that was most closely associated with efficacy. Moreover, the tazobactam concentration was dependent upon the enzyme transcription level. Given that the aforementioned strains were genetically engineered to transcribe a single ß-lactamase enzyme and that clinical isolates typically produce multiple ß-lactamase enzymes with various transcription levels, it is likely that the tazobactam threshold concentration is isolate/enzyme dependent. Our first objective was to characterize the relationship between the tazobactam %Time>threshold in combination with ceftolozane and efficacy using clinical isolates in an in vitro PK-PD infection model. Our second objective was to identify a translational relationship that would allow for the comodeling across clinical isolates. The initial challenge panel included four well-characterized ß-lactamase-producing E. coli strains with variable enzyme expression and other resistance determinants. As evidenced by r(2) values of ranging from 0.90 to 0.99 for each clinical isolate, the observed data were well described by fitted functions describing the relationship between the tazobactam %Time>threshold and change in log10 CFU from baseline; however, the data from the four isolates did not comodel well. The threshold concentration identified for each isolate ranged from 0.5 to 4 mg/liter. We identified an enabling translational relationship for the tazobactam threshold that allowed comodeling of all four clinical isolates, which was the product of the individual isolate's ceftolozane-tazobactam MIC value and 0.5. As evidenced by an r(2) value of 0.90, the transformed data were well described by a fitted function describing the relationship between tazobactam %Time>threshold and change in log10 CFU from baseline. Due to these findings, the challenge panel was expanded to include three well-characterized ß-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains with variable enzyme expression and other resistance determinants. The translational relationship for the tazobactam threshold that allowed for the comodeling of the four E. coli isolates performed well for the expanded data set (seven isolates in total; four E. coli and three K. pneumoniae), as evidenced by an r(2) value of 0.84. This simple translational relationship is especially useful as it is directly linked to in vitro susceptibility test results, which are used to guide the clinician's choice of drug and dosing regimen.

Population pharmacokinetics of oseltamivir: pediatrics through geriatrics.

Oseltamivir is a potent inhibitor of influenza virus neuraminidase enzymes essential for viral replication. This study aimed to investigate the impact of covariates on pharmacokinetic (PK) variability of oseltamivir and its active metabolite form, oseltamivir carboxylate (OC). Dosing history, plasma drug concentrations, and demographic information were pooled from 13 clinical trials providing data for 390 healthy and infected subjects ranging in age from 1 to 78 years and given oseltamivir doses of 20 to 1,000 mg. Candidate population PK models simultaneously characterizing the time course of oseltamivir and OC in plasma were evaluated by using the NONMEM software program, and subject covariates were assessed using stepwise forward selection (α = 0.01) and backward elimination (α = 0.001). A two-compartment model with first-order absorption of oseltamivir and first-order conversion of oseltamivir to OC and a one-compartment model with first-order elimination of OC were utilized. Body weight when evaluated using a power function was a significant predictor of the apparent oseltamivir clearance and both apparent OC clearance (CL(m)/F) and central volume of distribution (Vc(m)/F). Creatinine clearance was a significant predictor of CL(m)/F, while Vc(m)/F also decreased linearly with age. A visual predictive check indicated that the final model described oseltamivir and OC concentrations in plasma adequately across dose regimens and subject covariate ranges. Concordance of population mean and individual post hoc predictions of maximum concentration of drug at steady state (C(max)) and area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h at steady state (AUC(0-24)) was high (r(2) = 0.81 and 0.71, respectively). In conclusion, a comprehensive population PK model was constructed to bridge the adult to pediatric oseltamivir PK data, allowing for reasonable estimation of the PK of OC using subject demographic data alone.

Pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics of tazobactam in combination with ceftolozane in an in vitro infection model.

Despite ß-lactamase inhibitors being available for clinical use for nearly 30 years, a paucity of data exists describing the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) determinants of efficacy for these agents. Herein, we describe dose fractionation studies designed to determine the exposure measure most predictive of tazobactam efficacy in combination with ceftolozane and the magnitude of this measure necessary for efficacy in a PK-PD in vitro infection model. The challenge organism panel was comprised of an isogenic CTX-M-15-producing Escherichia coli triplet set, genetically engineered to transcribe different levels of bla(CTX-M-15). These recombinant strains exhibited ceftolozane MIC values of 4, 16, and 64 µg/ml representing low, moderate, and high levels of CTX-M-15, respectively. Different bla(CTX-M-15) transcription levels were confirmed by relative quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and ß-lactamase hydrolytic assays. The exposure measure associated with efficacy was the percentage of the dosing interval that tazobactam concentrations remained above a threshold (%Time>threshold), regardless of enzyme expression (r(2) = 0.938). The threshold concentrations identified were 0.05 µg/ml for low and moderate and 0.25 µg/ml for the high-ß-lactamase expression strain constructs. The magnitudes of %Time>threshold for tazobactam associated with net bacterial stasis and a 1- and 2-log10 CFU reduction in bacteria at 24 h were approximately 35, 50, and 70%, respectively. These data provide an initial target tazobactam concentration-time profile and a paradigm to optimize tazobactam dosing when combined with ceftolozane.

In vivo comparison of CXA-101 (FR264205) with and without tazobactam versus piperacillin-tazobactam using human simulated exposures against phenotypically diverse gram-negative organisms.

CXA-101 is a novel antipseudomonal cephalosporin with enhanced activity against Gram-negative organisms displaying various resistance mechanisms. This study evaluates the efficacy of exposures approximating human percent free time above the MIC (%fT > MIC) of CXA-101 with or without tazobactam and piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) against target Gram-negative organisms, including those expressing extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs). Sixteen clinical Gram-negative isolates (6 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates [piperacillin-tazobactam MIC range, 8 to 64 µg/ml], 4 Escherichia coli isolates (2 ESBL and 2 non-ESBL expressing), and 4 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates (3 ESBL and 1 non-ESBL expressing) were used in an immunocompetent murine thigh infection model. After infection, groups of mice were administered doses of CXA-101 with or without tazobactam (2:1) designed to approximate the %fT > MIC observed in humans given 1 g of CXA-101 with or without tazobactam every 8 h as a 1-h infusion. As a comparison, groups of mice were administered piperacillin-tazobactam doses designed to approximate the %fT > MIC observed in humans given 4.5 g piperacillin-tazobactam every 6 h as a 30-min infusion. Predicted piperacillin-tazobactam %fT > MIC exposures of greater than 40% resulted in static to >1 log decreases in CFU in non-ESBL-expressing organisms with MICs of ≤32 µg/ml after 24 h of therapy. Predicted CXA-101 with or without tazobactam %fT > MIC exposures of ≥37.5% resulted in 1- to 3-log-unit decreases in CFU in non-ESBL-expressing organisms, with MICs of ≤16 µg/ml after 24 h of therapy. With regard to the ESBL-expressing organisms, the inhibitor combinations showed enhanced CFU decreases versus CXA-101 alone. Due to enhanced in vitro potency and resultant increased in vivo exposure, CXA-101 produced statistically significant reductions in CFU in 9 isolates compared with piperacillin-tazobactam. The addition of tazobactam to CXA-101 produced significant reductions in CFU for 7 isolates compared with piperacillin-tazobactam. Overall, human simulated exposures of CXA-101 with or without tazobactam demonstrated improved efficacy versus piperacillin-tazobactam.

Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics of fusidic acid against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes using in vitro infection models: implications for dose selection.

The pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) of fusidic acid were investigated against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus pyogenes using in vitro infection models. Front-loaded and non-front-loaded fusidic acid dosing regimens were evaluated over 48 h using a 1-compartment infection model and over 240 h using a hollow fiber infection model (HFIM). All dosing regimens demonstrated initial decreases in bacterial density against both isolates in both in vitro models. A mechanism-based PK-PD model was developed to describe the effect of the concentration-time course of fusidic acid on the time course of MRSA in the in vitro infection model. With the use of this model and Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate the effect of different dosing regimens against MRSA, front-loaded [≥ 1200 mg every 12 h (Q12) × 2 doses followed by ≥ 600 mg Q12 h] compared to non-front-loaded (600 mg Q12 h) dosing regimens demonstrated better activity. HFIM data confirmed the effect of the front-loaded dosing regimens over 48 h and also demonstrated the suppression of growth of the total population and resistant subpopulations for MRSA over 96 and 120 h, respectively, associated with these dosing regimens.

Double-carbapenem therapy for carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

The limited treatment options available for carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC) have made it a formidable pathogen. Previously we have shown the enhanced activity of pharmacodynamically optimized doripenem against KPC. Capitalizing on KPC's increased affinity for ertapenem, we evaluated the efficacy of a combination of ertapenem and doripenem in both an in vitro chemostat and an in vivo murine thigh infection model. Overall, the combination of doripenem plus ertapenem demonstrated enhanced efficacy over either agent alone.

Tissue penetration and pharmacokinetics of tigecycline in diabetic patients with chronic wound infections described by using in vivo microdialysis.

Tissue penetration of systemic antibiotics is an important consideration for positive outcomes in diabetic patients. Herein we describe the exposure profile and penetration of tigecycline in the interstitial fluid of wound margins versus that of uninfected thigh tissue in 8 adult diabetic patients intravenously (IV) administered 100 mg and then 50 mg of tigecycline twice daily for 3 to 5 doses. Prior to administration of the first dose, 2 microdialysis catheters were inserted into the subcutaneous tissue, the first within 10 cm of the wound margin and the second in the thigh of the same extremity. Samples for determination of plasma and tissue concentrations were simultaneously collected over 12 h under steady-state conditions. Tissue concentrations were corrected for percent in vivo recovery by the retrodialysis technique. Plasma samples were also collected for determination of protein binding at 1, 6, and 12 h postdose for each patient. Protein binding data were corrected using a fitted polynomial equation. The mean patient weight was 95.1 kg (range, 63.6 to 149.2 kg), the mean patient age was 63.5 ± 9.4 years, and 75% of the patients were males. The mean values for the plasma, thigh, and wound free area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (fAUC(0-24)) were 2.65 ± 0.33, 2.52 ± 1.15, and 2.60 ± 1.02 µg·h/ml, respectively. Protein binding was nonlinear, with the percentage of free drug increasing with decreasing serum concentrations. Exposure values for thigh tissue and wound tissue were similar (P = 0.986). Mean steady-state tissue concentrations for the thigh and wound were similar at 0.12 ± 0.02 µg/ml, and clearance from the tissues appeared similar to that from plasma. Tissue penetration ratios (tissue fAUC/plasma fAUC) were 99% in the thigh and 100% in the wound (P = 0.964). Tigecycline penetrated equally well into wound and uninfected tissue of the same extremity.

In vivo efficacy of simulated human dosing regimens of prolonged-infusion doripenem against carbapenemase- producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC) bacteria are rapidly becoming one of the most detrimental drug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. Doripenem is the newest FDA-approved carbapenem that has the greatest in vitro potency against a wide range of Gram-negative organisms, including multidrug-resistant organisms. Previous work in an animal model has shown efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MICs above the current breakpoints of susceptibility. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of 1-g and 2-g dose prolonged infusions of doripenem against KPC isolates in both an immunocompetent and neutropenic murine thigh model. Seven clinical KPC isolates (broth microdilution [BMD] MIC range, 4 to 32 µg/ml; Etest MIC range, 3 to >32 µg/ml) were used. After infection, groups of mice were administered doripenem doses previously shown to simulate the exposures observed in humans after the administration of 1 or 2 g every 8 h as a 4-h infusion. In immunocompromised mice, 1- and 2-g doses of doripenem achieved bacteriostasis against isolates with MICs up to and including 8 µg/ml and 16 µg/ml, respectively. In immunocompetent animals, statistically significant reductions in the number of CFU were observed with overall decreases of approximately 1 log (P < 0.05). While carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae continues to decrease our meager supply of active agents, the ability of doripenem to produce CFU reductions in the presence of white blood cells (WBCs) using humanized exposures suggests the potential utility of this agent in combination against this increasingly problematic pathogen.

Comparison of meropenem MICs and susceptibilities for carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates by various testing methods.

We describe the levels of agreement between broth microdilution, Etest, Vitek 2, Sensititre, and MicroScan methods to accurately define the meropenem MIC and categorical interpretation of susceptibility against carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC). A total of 46 clinical K. pneumoniae isolates with KPC genotypes, all modified Hodge test and bla(KPC) positive, collected from two hospitals in NY were included. Results obtained by each method were compared with those from broth microdilution (the reference method), and agreement was assessed based on MICs and Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) interpretative criteria using 2010 susceptibility breakpoints. Based on broth microdilution, 0%, 2.2%, and 97.8% of the KPC isolates were classified as susceptible, intermediate, and resistant to meropenem, respectively. Results from MicroScan demonstrated the most agreement with those from broth microdilution, with 95.6% agreement based on the MIC and 2.2% classified as minor errors, and no major or very major errors. Etest demonstrated 82.6% agreement with broth microdilution MICs, a very major error rate of 2.2%, and a minor error rate of 2.2%. Vitek 2 MIC agreement was 30.4%, with a 23.9% very major error rate and a 39.1% minor error rate. Sensititre demonstrated MIC agreement for 26.1% of isolates, with a 3% very major error rate and a 26.1% minor error rate. Application of FDA breakpoints had little effect on minor error rates but increased very major error rates to 58.7% for Vitek 2 and Sensititre. Meropenem MIC results and categorical interpretations for carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae differ by methodology. Confirmation of testing results is encouraged when an accurate MIC is required for antibiotic dosing optimization.

Pharmacodynamic modeling of intravenous antibiotics against gram-negative bacteria collected in the United States.

BACKGROUND: In the era of escalating antimicrobial resistance, the choice of effective empiric antimicrobial therapy has become considerably more difficult. In an attempt to improve antimicrobial selection, pharmacodynamic modeling that considers the drug, dose, dosing interval, and duration of infusion is increasingly used as a tool to assist in the clinical decision-making process. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the PASSPORT (Probability of target attainment of Antibacterial agents Studied for Susceptibility and Pharmacodynamic Optimization in Regional Trials) study was to compare the probabilities of achieving requisite pharmacodynamic exposure (eg, T>MIC, AUC/MIC) of common intravenous antibiotics against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. METHODS: Using a 5000-patient Monte Carlo simulation, pharmacodynamic analyses were conducted for standard and high-dose, prolonged (ie, 3-to 4-hour) infusions of cefepime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, doripenem, ertapenem, imipenem, levofloxacin, meropenem, and piperacillin/tazobactam in adult patients with normal renal function (>or=50 mL/min). MIC data were incorporated from the 2008 TRUST (Tracking Resistance in the United States Today)-12 surveillance program, a long-running resistance study in 56 participating US hospitals. The cumulative fraction of response (CFR) was determined for each regimen against each population of E coli, K pneumoniae, A baumannii, and P aeruginosa. Optimal CFR was defined a priori as >or=90%. RESULTS: All of the beta-lactam regimens had optimal CFRs against E coli, and all but piperacillin/tazobactam 3.375 g q6h had optimal CFRs against K pneumoniae. The fluoroquinolones had the lowest CFRs against all of the pathogen populations tested (73.2%-88.9% against E coli and K pneumortfae; 44.5 %-61.9 % against A baumannii and P aeruginosa). Optimal CFR against A baumannii was not achieved with any of the regimens. Against P aeruginosa, high-dose, prolonged-infusion doripenem and meropenem had CFRs of 97.2% to 98.8%, followed by high-dose, prolonged-infusion ceftazidime (93.3%) and cefepime (93.2%). High-dose, prolonged-infusion regimens were associated with increased CFRs for all (beta-lactams by approximately 10% over that of standard 0.5-hour infusion regimens against the nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this model, standard doses of most intravenous (beta-lactam regimens had high probabilities of achieving optimal exposure against Enterobacteriaceae. For nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli such as A baumannii and P aeruginosa, high-dose, prolonged infusions of cefepime, ceftazidime, doripenem, and meropenem had the highest probabilities of achieving bactericidal exposure.