Novel method for determination of colistin sulfate in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and its clinical applications in critically ill patients.

Colistin is a last-resort antibiotic used for treating infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, particularly in critically patients, nevertheless its therapeutic window is narrow, and requires monitoring. A determination method suitable for clinical detection is conducive to ensure its efficacy and safety of patients with severe infection. We developed and validated a concise and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of colistin A and B in human plasma. We used a Kinetex C18 column (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 2.6 µm) with acetonitrile (containing 0.1% formic acid) as the protein precipitant and water (containing 0.2% formic acid and 5 mmol/L ammonium formate) - acetonitrile (containing 0.2% formic acid) as the gradient elution. The calibration curves were linear over concentration ranges of 0.06-4.00 µg/mL (colistin A) and 0.1-7.0 µg/mL (colistin B). The precision, accuracy, matrix effect, extraction recovery, and stability were all validated. This method was applied to the therapeutic drug monitoring for 50 critically ill patients. The trough, peak, and average steady-state concentrations of these patients were 0.8 ± 0.4, 1.4 ± 0.5, and 1.0 ± 0.4 µg/mL, respectively. And the concentrations of colistin in human plasma were closely related to the patient's renal function.

Steady-state pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiling of colistin in critically ill patients with multi-drug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections, along with differences in clinical, microbiological and safety outcome.

Limited data are present regarding the steady-state pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of colistin in critically ill patients suffering from multi-drug-resistant gram-negative bacterial (MDR-GNB) infections. We aimed to profile the steady-state pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of colistin in critically ill patients with MDR-GNB infections, along with determining the predictors that could influence the clinical, microbiological and safety outcome. We recruited 30 critically ill patients suffering from MDR-GNB infections in our prospective open-label study. Intravenous colistimethate sodium (CMS) 2 million IU was administered concurrently with inhalational CMS 1 million IU every 8 hours. Steady-state plasma colistin levels were measured. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify various predictors of clinical, microbiological and safety outcome. A large variability was observed in the steady-state colistin pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters, along with the factors that influenced the clinical, microbiological and safety outcome. In conclusion, steady-state colistin pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters observed in our study were largely consistent with those reported in previous studies. High acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II scores were associated with poor clinical outcome. Log-transformed colistin maximum concentration, area under the plasma concentration curve for 8 hours, apparent total body clearance and apparent volume of distribution were significantly associated with the safety outcome.

A fluorescent artificial receptor with specific imprinted cavities to selectively detect colistin.

A novel and facile fluorescent artificial receptor on the basis of the molecularly imprinted polymer-coated graphene quantum dots was engineered successfully to detect colistin. The colistin imprinted graphene quantum dots (CMIP-GQDs) was synthesized by vinyl-based radical polymerization between functional monomers and crosslinker at around the template molecule on the surface of graphene quantum dots. The size of bare, CNIP-GQDs, and CMIP-GQDs was about 4.8 ± 0.6 nm, 18.4 ± 1.7 nm, and 19.7 ± 1.3 nm, respectively. The CMIP-GQDs, which showed the strong fluorescence emission at 440 nm with the excitation wavelength fixed at 380 nm, had excellent selectivity and specificity to rapidly recognize and detect colistin. The linear range of fluorescence quenching of this fluorescent artificial receptor for detection colistin was 0.016-2.0 µg mL-1 with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.99919, and the detection limit was 7.3 ng mL-1 in human serum samples. The designed receptor was successfully applied to detect colistin in human serum samples and it achieved excellent recoveries shifted from 93.8 to 105%. Graphical abstract.

Quantification of Colistin in Plasma by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry: Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study.

Colistin is a polymixin antibiotic (polymixin E) that is produced by Bacillus colistinus bacteria. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a method to quantify colistin levels in plasma using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique and then apply it in experimental animals (rats) to investigate the pharmacokinetic profile of colistin in this species. Polymyxin B was used as an internal standard (IS) and the quantitation was carried out using ESI + interface and employing multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. A mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile:water:formic acid (30:70:0.1%; v/v/v) was employed and Zorbax eclipse plus C18 (1.8 µm, 2.1 mm i.d. x 50 mm) was the optimal column for this method and utilized at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. The full scan mass spectra of precursor/product ions of colistin A were at m/z 585.5 > 100.8, for colistin B at m/z 578.8 > 101 and for the IS at m/z 602.8 > 101. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.5 µg/mL. The method demonstrated acceptable intra-run and inter-run precision and accuracy for both colistin A and colistin B. Colistin was stable when assessed for long-term stability, freeze-thaw stability and autosampler stability. However, it was not stable when stored at room temperature. The matrix effect evaluation showed minimal or no effect. Incurred sample reanalysis findings were within acceptable ranges (<20% of the nominal concentration). The pharmacokinetic parameters of colistin were investigated in rats using the present method. The developed method for colistin demonstrates that it is rapid, sensitive, specific, accurate, precise, and reliable.

Population pharmacokinetics of colistin and the relation to survival in critically ill patients infected with colistin susceptible and carbapenem-resistant bacteria.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to analyse the population pharmacokinetics of colistin and to explore the relationship between colistin exposure and time to death. METHODS: Patients included in the AIDA randomized controlled trial were treated with colistin for severe infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. All subjects received a 9 million units (MU) loading dose, followed by a 4.5 MU twice daily maintenance dose, with dose reduction if creatinine clearance (CrCL) < 50 mL/min. Individual colistin exposures were estimated from the developed population pharmacokinetic model and an optimized two-sample per patient sampling design. Time to death was evaluated in a parametric survival analysis. RESULTS: Out of 406 randomized patients, 349 contributed pharmacokinetic data. The median (90% range) colistin plasma concentration was 0.44 (0.14-1.59) mg/L at 15 minutes after the end of first infusion. In samples drawn 10 hr after a maintenance dose, concentrations were >2 mg/L in 94% (195/208) and 44% (38/87) of patients with CrCL ≤120 mL/min, and >120 mL/min, respectively. Colistin methanesulfonate sodium (CMS) and colistin clearances were strongly dependent on CrCL. High colistin exposure to MIC ratio was associated with increased hazard of death in the multivariate analysis (adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI): 1.07 (1.03-1.12)). Other significant predictors included SOFA score at baseline (HR 1.24 (1.19-1.30) per score increase), age and Acinetobacter or Pseudomonas as index pathogen. DISCUSSION: The population pharmacokinetic model predicted that >90% of the patients had colistin concentrations >2 mg/L at steady state, but only 66% at 4 hr after start of treatment. High colistin exposure was associated with poor kidney function, and was not related to a prolonged survival.

Pharmacokinetics of colistin after nebulization or intravenous administration of colistin methanesulphonate (Colimycin®) to cystic fibrosis patients.

OBJECTIVES: Colistin, administered as the prodrug colistin methanesulphonate (CMS), is an antibiotic frequently administered as aerosol in cystic fibrosis (CF) patient. Our aim was to assess the plasma PK of colistin in CF patients treated with CMS administered intravenously or as aerosol and to compare these results with those previously reported in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Six CF patients were included, CMS and colistin concentrations were measured in plasma, urine and sputum. Either after single intravenous administration of 2 Million International Unit (MIU) or after repeated nebulizations of 2 MIU of CMS. PK of CMS and colistin were assessed by a mixed effect modeling approach. RESULTS: Renal clearance of CMS was lower in CF patients compared to that previously reported in healthy volunteers (64.3 mL/min (RSE = 15%) vs. 103 mL/min (RSE = 8%)). However, apparent clearance of colistin was higher in CF patients compared to healthy volunteers (124 mL/min (RSE = 13%) vs. 48.7 mL/min (RSE = 15%)), resulting in reduced systemic exposure to colistin (dose normalized AUC (2 MIU) of 7.4 h.mg/L/MIU vs. 11.2 h.mg/L/MIU). After repeated nebulizations, colistin concentrations were very low in plasma (<0.21 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS: Although our study suggests a lower median dose normalized colistin plasma concentrations in CF patients compared with healthy controls, this difference was not significant and a larger study is needed to substantiate this.

Systemic pharmacokinetics and safety of high doses of nebulized colistimethate sodium in critically ill patients with hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the pharmacokinetics of formed colistin in plasma and the safety of two different high doses of colistimethate sodium administered via nebulization in critically ill surgical patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) or ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Formed colistin plasma concentrations were measured in critically ill surgical patients with pneumonia treated with two different doses of nebulized colistimethate sodium (3 MIU/8 h versus 5 MIU/8 h). Adverse events possibly related to nebulized colistimethate sodium were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (15 in the 3 MIU/8 h group and 12 in the 5 MIU/8 h group) were included. Colistin plasma concentrations were unquantifiable (<0.1 mg/L) in eight (53.3%) patients in the 3 MIU/8 h group and in seven patients (58.3%) in the 5 MIU/8 h group. Median (IQR) quantifiable colistin plasma concentrations before nebulization and at 1, 4 and 8 h were 0.17 (0.12-0.33), 0.20 (0.11-0.24), 0.17 (0.12-0.23) and 0.17 (0.11-0.32) mg/L, respectively, in the 3 MIU/8 h group and 0.20 (0.11-0.35), 0.24 (0.12-0.44), 0.24 (0.10-0.49) and 0.23 (0.11-0.44) mg/L, respectively, in the 5 MIU/8 h group, with no differences between the two groups at any time. Renal impairment during nebulized treatment was observed in three patients in each group, but was unlikely to be related to colistimethate sodium treatment. Nebulized colistimethate sodium therapy was well tolerated and no bronchospasms or neurotoxicity events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this limited observational case series of critically ill patients with HAP or VAP treated with high doses of nebulized colistimethate sodium, systemic exposure was minimal and the treatment was well tolerated.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Colistin in Pediatric Patients: Implications for the Selection of Dosage Regimens.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous colistin is widely used to treat infections in pediatric patients. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of pharmacological information to guide the selection of dosage regimens. The daily dose recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) is the same body weight-based dose traditionally used in adults. The aim was to increase our understanding of the patient factors that influence the plasma concentration of colistin, and assess the likely appropriateness of the FDA and EMA dosage recommendations. METHODS: There were 5 patients, with a median age of 1.75 (range 0.1-6.25) years, a median weight of 10.7 (2.9-21.5) kg, and a median creatinine clearance of 179 (44-384) mL/min/1.73m2, who received intravenous infusions of colistimethate each 8 hours. The median daily dose was 0.21 (0.20-0.21) million international units/kg, equivalent to 6.8 (6.5-6.9) mg of colistin base activity per kg/day. Plasma concentrations of colistimethate and formed colistin were subjected to population pharmacokinetic modeling to explore the patient factors influencing the concentration of colistin. RESULTS: The median, average, steady-state plasma concentration of colistin (Css,avg) was 0.88 mg/L; individual values ranged widely (0.41-3.50 mg/L), even though all patients received the same body weight-based daily dose. Although the daily doses were ~33% above the upper limit of the FDA- and EMA-recommended dose range, only 2 patients achieved Css,avg ≥2mg/L; the remaining 3 patients had Css,avg <1mg/L. The pharmacokinetic covariate analysis revealed that clearances of colistimethate and colistin were related to creatinine clearance. CONCLUSIONS: The FDA and EMA dosage recommendations may be suboptimal for many pediatric patients. Renal functioning is an important determinant of dosing in these patients.

Colistin Use in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Are We Underdosing Patients?

Colistin is administered as its inactive prodrug colistimethate (CMS). Selection of an individualized CMS dose for each patient is difficult due to its narrow therapeutic window, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our aim was to analyze CMS use in patients with CKD. Secondary objectives were to assess the safety and efficacy of CMS in this special population. In this prospective observational cohort study of CMS-treated CKD patients, CKD was defined as the presence of a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 mL/min/m² for more than 3 months. The administered doses of CMS were compared with those recently published in the literature. Worsened CKD at the end of treatment (EOT) was evaluated with the RIFLE (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function, and End-stage kidney disease) criteria. Colistin plasma concentrations (Css) were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Fifty-nine patients were included. Thirty-six (61.2%) were male. The median age was 76 (45⁻95) years and baseline GFR was 36.6 ± 13.6. The daily mean CMS dosage used was compared with recently recommended doses (3.36 vs. 6.07; p < 0.001). Mean Css was 0.9 (0.2⁻2.9) mg/L, and Css was <2 mg/L in 50 patients (83.3%). Clinical cure was achieved in 43 (72.9%) patients. Worsened renal function at EOT was present in 20 (33.9%) patients and was reversible in 10 (52.6%). The CMS dosages used in this cohort were almost half those currently recommended. The mean achieved Css were under the recommended target of 2 mg/dL. Despite this, clinical cure rate was high. In this patient cohort, the incidence of nephrotoxicity was similar to those found in other recent studies performed in the general population and was reversible in 52.6%. These results suggest that CMS is safe and effective in patients with CKD and may encourage physicians to adjust dosage regimens to recent recommendations in order to optimize CMS treatments.

Investigation of unbound colistin A and B in clinical samples using a mass spectrometry method.

Colistin, used as a last-resort drug, has a narrow therapeutic range that justifies therapeutic drug monitoring. Few data are available in the literature regarding the in vivo unbound fraction of colistin. The objectives of this study were to develop a method to isolate unbound colistin in clinical samples by ultrafiltration and to quantify it. The association between unbound colistin and biological parameters (total protein, albumin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and creatinine) was investigated. The measured ranges were 0.036-7.160 mg/L for colistin A and 0.064-9.630 mg/L for colistin B. The process of isolation and determination of unbound colistin was applied to clinical samples (n = 30) within 40 min and no non-specific binding was observed during the ultracentrifugation step. The median unbound fractions of colistin measured were 34.3% (12.8-51.0%) and 53.4% (27.0-77.8%) for colistin A and B, respectively. High interindividual biological variation of binding was observed for colistin A and B that was not explained by the biochemical parameters studied. The method developed could be useful to improve outcomes for patients.

Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Antibiotic Killing and Regrowth of Biofilm-Residing Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Biofilm-residing bacteria embedded in an extracellular matrix are protected from diverse physicochemical insults. In addition to the general recalcitrance of biofilm bacteria, high bacterial loads in biofilm-associated infections significantly diminish the efficacy of antimicrobials due to a low per-cell antibiotic concentration. Accordingly, present antimicrobial treatment protocols that have been established to serve the eradication of acute infections fail to clear biofilm-associated chronic infections. In the present study, we applied automated confocal microscopy on Pseudomonas aeruginosa to monitor dynamic killing of biofilm-grown bacteria by tobramycin and colistin in real time. We revealed that the time required for surviving bacteria to repopulate the biofilm could be taken as a measure for effectiveness of the antimicrobial treatment. It depends on the (i) nature and concentration of the antibiotic, (ii) duration of antibiotic treatment, (iii) application as monotherapy or combination therapy, and (iv) interval of drug administration. The vicious cycle of killing and repopulation of biofilm bacteria could also be broken in an in vivo model system by applying successive antibiotic dosages at intervals that do not allow full reconstitution of the biofilm communities. Treatment regimens that consider the important aspects of antimicrobial killing kinetics bear the potential to improve control of biofilm regrowth. This is an important and underestimated factor that is bound to ensure sustainable treatment success of chronic infections.

Synergistic Antimicrobial Activity of Colistin in Combination with Rifampin and Azithromycin against Escherichia coli Producing MCR-1.

The lack of available antibiotics is a global public health problem due to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Effective therapeutic regimens are urgently needed against Escherichia coli strains that produce the colistin resistance gene mcr-1 and to inhibit the emergence of resistance. In this study, we assessed the antimicrobial activity of a series of concentrations of colistin-based combinations with rifampin and/or azithromycin against three strains of Escherichia coli, including colistin-resistant isolate MZ1501R, isolate HE1704R that produces MCR-1, and colistin-susceptible isolate MZ1509S Experiments were conducted with a medium inoculum of ∼107 CFU/ml over 48 h. Subsequently, the in vivo therapeutic effect was investigated using a neutropenic mouse thigh infection model. Almost all monotherapies showed unsatisfactory antibacterial activity against E. coli isolates producing MCR-1. In contrast, colistin in combination with rifampin or azithromycin resulted in an obvious decrease in the bacterial burden albeit with regrowth. More obviously, synergistic antimicrobial activity of colistin-based triple-combination therapy with rifampin and azithromycin was observed, resulting in a rapid and exhaustive antibacterial effect. In vivo treatments confirmed these findings, where mean decreases of 0.38 to 0.90 log10 CFU and 1.27 to 1.78 log10 CFU were noted after 24 h and 48 h of treatment, respectively, against colistin-resistant E. coli strains when 5 mg/kg of body weight of colistin was combined with rifampin and azithromycin. Colistin-based combinations with rifampin and azithromycin provide a more active therapeutic regimen than monotherapy or colistin-based double combinations against E. coli producing MCR-1.

Modified Colistin Regimen for Critically Ill Patients with Acute Renal Impairment and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy.

Colistin is a last resort antibiotic to treat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria infections. Colistin is administered intravenously in the form of its inactive prodrug colistin methanesulfonate (CMS). For patients with acute kidney impairment and continuous renal replacement therapy high extracorporeal clearance may cause a substantial removal of active colistin from the bloodstream, eventually decreasing its antibacterial efficacy. Currently recommended doses of CMS may therefore be inadequate for these patients. We report on the potential value of a modified regimen that adopts a loading dose of CMS (bolus of 9 MU vs. conventional 3 MU every 8 h), followed by maintenance (3 MU every 8 h). Preliminary pharmacokinetic evidence for the feasibility and efficacy of this regimen is described for 2 patients.

Pharmacokinetics of colistin methanesulfonate (CMS) in healthy Chinese subjects after single and multiple intravenous doses.

The high prevalence of extensively drug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens has forced clinicians to use colistin as a last-line therapy. Knowledge on the pharmacokinetics of colistin methanesulfonate (CMS), an inactive prodrug, and colistin has increased substantially; however, the pharmacokinetics in the Chinese population is still unknown due to lack of a CMS product in China. This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of a new CMS product developed in China in order to optimise dosing regimens. A total of 24 healthy subjects (12 female, 12 male) were enrolled in single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetic (PK) studies. Concentrations of CMS and formed colistin in plasma and urine were measured, and PK analysis was conducted using a non-compartmental approach. Following a single CMS dose [2.36 mg colistin base activity (CBA) per kg, 1 h infusion], peak concentrations (Cmax) of CMS and formed colistin were 18.0 mg/L and 0.661 mg/L, respectively. The estimated half-life (t1/2) of CMS and colistin were 1.38 h and 4.49 h, respectively. Approximately 62.5% of the CMS dose was excreted via urine within 24 h after dosing, whilst only 1.28% was present in the form of colistin. Following multiple CMS doses, colistin reached steady-state within 24 h; there was no accumulation of CMS, but colistin accumulated slightly (RAUC = 1.33). This study provides the first PK data in the Chinese population and is essential for designing CMS dosing regimens for use in Chinese hospitals. The urinary PK data strongly support the use of intravenous CMS for serious urinary tract infections.

Development of HPLC with fluorescent detection using NBD-F for the quantification of colistin sulfate in rat plasma and its pharmacokinetic applications.

Colistin sulfate, composed of a mixture of colistin A sulfate (CLA) and colistin B sulfate (CLB), is available for treating life-threatening infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, the CLA and CLB were quantified separately. Colistin sulfate was extracted from rat plasma with a solid-phase extraction C18 cartridge and reacted with 4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD-F), and the fluorescent derivatives were subjected to reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis and used to investigate the pharmacokinetics of CLA and CLB in rat plasma. The recovery rates of CLA and CLB were 41.2 ± 4.4 and 45.5 ± 3.1%, respectively. The recovery rate calculated from the total area of CLA and CLB was 43.9 ± 3.6%. When 2 mm NBD-F and 10 mm boric acid buffer (pH 9.5) were added to colistin sulfate, the highest recovery rate was obtained. The best heating time was 5 min at 60°C. The lower limits of quantification for CLA, CLB and the total area of CLA and CLB were 0.05, 0.05 and 0.1 µg/mL; the coefficients of variations were 13.5, 14.5 and 14.1%, respectively. This method was found to have acceptable linearity, precision and accuracy, and has been successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in rat plasma.

Pharmacokinetic/Toxicodynamic Analysis of Colistin-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Patients.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in a substantial proportion of critically ill patients receiving intravenous colistin. In the pharmacokinetic/toxicodynamic analysis reported here, the relationship of the occurrence of AKI to exposure to colistin and a number of potential patient factors was explored in 153 critically ill patients, none of whom were receiving renal replacement therapy. Tree-based modeling revealed that the rates of AKI were substantially higher when the average steady-state plasma colistin concentration was greater than ∼2 mg/liter.

Impact of colistin plasma levels on the clinical outcome of patients with infections caused by extremely drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

BACKGROUND: Colistin has a narrow therapeutic window with nephrotoxicity being the major dose-limiting adverse effect. Currently, the optimal doses and therapeutic plasma levels are unknown. METHODS: Prospective observational cohort study, including patients infected by colistin-susceptible P. aeruginosa treated with intravenous colistimethate sodium (CMS). Clinical data and colistin plasma levels at steady-state (Css) were recorded. The primary and secondary end points were clinical cure and 30-day all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients were included. Clinical cure was observed in 72 (79%) patients. The mean (SD) Css was 1.49 (1.4) mg/L and 2.42 (1.5) mg/L (p = 0.01) in patients who achieved clinical cure and those who not, respectively. Independent risk factors for clinical failure were male sex (OR 5.88; 95% CI 1.09-31.63), APACHE II score (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.03-1.27) and nephrotoxicity at the EOT (OR 9.13; 95% CI 95% 2.06-40.5). The 30-day mortality rate was 30.8%. Risk factors for 30-day mortality included the APACHE II score (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1-1.20), the McCabe score (OR 2.49; 95% CI 1.14-5.43) and the presence of nephrotoxicity at the end of treatment (EOT) (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.26-11.47). CONCLUSION: In this series of patients with infections caused by XDR P. aeruginosa infections, Css is not observed to be related to clinical outcome.

Meropenem for treating KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections: Should we get to the PK/PD root of the paradox?

The objective of this study was to assess the achievement of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) targets of meropenem (MEM) in critically-ill patients with bloodstream infections (BSI) due to Klebsiella pneumoniae-carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) with MEM minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ≥16 mg/L. Nineteen critically-ill patients with KPC-Kp BSI were given combination therapy including MEM, tigecycline, plus colistin or gentamicin (according to susceptibility testing). MEM was administered as an extended 3-hour infusion of 2 g every 8 hours, or adjusted according to renal function. MEM plasma concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. PK/PD targets for MEM were defined as T > 40% 1×MIC and T > 40% 4×MIC. Possible synergisms between MEM and coadministered agents were assessed by time-kill assays based on plasma levels for MEM and on fixed plasma concentrations for the other agents. In none of 19 patients MEM reached any PK/PD target. The actual MEM MICs were 256, 512, and 1024 mg/L in 1, 3, and 15 isolates, respectively. However, theoretically, the PK/PD target of T > 40% 1×MIC could have been achieved in 95%, 68%, 32% and 0% of the isolates for MIC equal to 8, 16, 32, and 64 mg/L, respectively. No synergisms were observed between MEM and coadministered agents. In conclusion, high-dose MEM failed to reach PK/PD targets in 19 patients with BSI due to KPC-Kp with very high MEM MICs. On a theoretical basis, our results suggest a possible usefulness of MEM against resistant blood isolates with MICs up to 32 mg/L.

Substantial Targeting Advantage Achieved by Pulmonary Administration of Colistin Methanesulfonate in a Large-Animal Model.

Colistin, administered as its inactive prodrug colistin methanesulfonate (CMS), is often used in multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pulmonary infections. The CMS and colistin pharmacokinetics in plasma and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) following intravenous and pulmonary dosing have not been evaluated in a large-animal model with pulmonary architecture similar to that of humans. Six merino sheep (34 to 43 kg body weight) received an intravenous or pulmonary dose of 4 to 8 mg/kg CMS (sodium) or 2 to 3 mg/kg colistin (sulfate) in a 4-way crossover study. Pulmonary dosing was achieved via jet nebulization through an endotracheal tube cuff. CMS and colistin were quantified in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). ELF concentrations were calculated via the urea method. CMS and colistin were comodeled in S-ADAPT. Following intravenous CMS or colistin administration, no concentrations were quantifiable in BALF samples. Elimination clearance was 1.97 liters/h (4% interindividual variability) for CMS (other than conversion to colistin) and 1.08 liters/h (25%) for colistin. On average, 18% of a CMS dose was converted to colistin. Following pulmonary delivery, colistin was not quantifiable in plasma and CMS was detected in only one sheep. Average ELF concentrations (standard deviations [SD]) of formed colistin were 400 (243), 384 (187), and 184 (190) mg/liter at 1, 4, and 24 h after pulmonary CMS administration. The population pharmacokinetic model described well CMS and colistin in plasma and ELF following intravenous and pulmonary administration. Pulmonary dosing provided high ELF and low plasma colistin concentrations, representing a substantial targeting advantage over intravenous administration. Predictions from the pharmacokinetic model indicate that sheep are an advantageous model for translational research.

Electrostatically entrapped colistin liposomes for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

The potential use of liposomes for the pulmonary delivery of colistin has been hindered by their phospholipid membrane permeability resulting in a very low entrapment of colistin in the liposomes. To increase the entrapment capacity of colistin in liposomes, the anionic lipid sodium cholesteryl sulfate (Chol-SO4-) was used to enhance the electrostatic attraction between colistin and the lipid membrane. The resulting colistin-entrapped liposomes of Chol-SO4- (CCL) showed significantly greater entrapment efficiency in comparison with liposomes without Chol-SO4-. A time-kill kinetics study showed that colistin could redistribute from the liposomes into a new bacterial cell membrane to exert bactericidal activity. After intratracheal instillation, the CCL exhibited prolonged colistin retention in the lung with less colistin being transferred to the bloodstream and kidney, and the improved biodistribution further resulted in the enhanced therapeutic efficacy in a murine pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection model compared with the colistin solution. These results highlight the suitability of applying an electrostatic attraction to entrap colistin in liposomes for pulmonary delivery by increasing colistin retention in the lung, while reducing the systemic exposure.