Optimization of antimicrobial treatment in sepsis.

Sepsis represents a serious risk to the life of any patient, which is why it is crucial to start an effective treatment in all its extremes as soon as possible, that is, the chosen antibiotics must have activity against the pathogen that produces the condition and, in addition, they must be dosed considering the patient's situation in all its extremes. It should be considered that it will be necessary to adjust the dose when there is edema (drugs with reduced volume of distribution), hypoproteinemia (drugs bound to proteins in a high proportion), obesity, and also when they require the use of external techniques such as ECMO or any of the different types of hemodialysis and hemofiltration.

Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics and tolerability of cefiderocol in the clinical setting.

Cefiderocol is a new cephalosporin with a catechol in its chemical structure faciliting its access to the interior of bacteria through iron channels. In addition, it is broadly stable to beta-lactamases. The pharmacokinetic profile is a beta-lactam one: no oral absorption, and with a wide distribution within the vascular space and the interstitial fluid of well vascularized tissues, reaching therapeutic concentrations in the alveolar lavage fluid and within the macrophage. The binding of cefiderocol to human plasma proteins, primarily albumin, is moderate (range 40-60%). The terminal elimination half-life in healthy adult subjects was 2 to 3 hours. Cefiderocol is mainly renally eliminated, so dose adjustments are recommended in subjects with moderate / severe renal impairment, in case of dialysis, and probably in patients with external clearance. Like other beta-lactams, the PK / PD parameter that has been shown to best correlate with efficacy is the efficacy time of unbound plasma concentrations (%fT>MIC), which must be close to 100% to achieve a bactericidal effect. This is possible with 2 g in a 3-hour infusion every 8 hours. In controlled trials appears to be well tolerated, similar to comparators: meropenem or imipenem-cilastatin. Cefiderocol has no apparent clinically significant effect on ECG parameters nor on plasma iron values.

The pharmacodynamic bases of the prescription of antimicrobials.

In the past, the dose of an antibiotic was chosen, always from among those that were well tolerated, by considering those with the ability to exceed the MIC of bacteria in plasma. This approach, which has still not widely changed, is contrast-ed with the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationships, which indicate that the efficacy of antibiotics is directly related to parameters that relate the sequence of con-centrations over time with a parameter of the MIC effect in vitro. Until now, three types of PK/PD relationships have been established for antibiotics: the inhibitory coefficient (Cmax/MIC), the efficacy time (T>CMI) and the relationship between the exposure of the drug and the MIC (AUC/MIC).

Ceftobiprole: pharmacokinetics and PK/PD profile.

Ceftobiprole shows many similar pharmacokinetic properties to other cephalosporins, except for not being orally bioactive, and that it is administered by IV infusion as the prodrug ceftobiprole medocaril, which is subsequently hydrolyzed in the blood into the active molecule. Distribution focus in extracellular fluid and active antibiotic concentration has been proven in different corporal tissues using dosing regimen of 500 mg intravenous infusion over 2 h every 8 h. Ceftobiprole is eliminated exclusively into the urine, thus the reason why dose adjustment is required for patients with moderate or severe renal impairment, or increased creatinine clearance. However, there is no need for dose adjustments related with other comorbidities and patients' conditions such as age, body weight. Although considering distribution features, molecular weight and dose fraction, increase dosing regimen might be necessary in patients using renal replacement therapy. The half-life of ceftobiprole is more than 3 h, allowing to easily reach optimal PK/PD parameters with the infusion time of 2 h, using the usual dosing regimen.

Pharmacokinetics of anidulafungin in critically ill patients with Candida peritonitis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of anidulafungin and to evaluate its concentration in the peritoneal fluid (PF) of patients suspected of suffering from peritoneal infection undergoing abdominal surgery, in order to ensure that therapeutic levels are achieved within the peritoneal cavity. METHODS: A descriptive, open, prospective, observational, multicentre and non-interventional study was performed. Anidulafungin was used at conventional doses. Blood and PF samples were obtained on day 2 of treatment or on any of the following days. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients in a serious clinical condition, as demonstrated by high mean clinical severity scale scores (APACHE II and SOFA scores), were included in the study. The mean area under the curve (AUC) in PF was 30% (31±19%) of that determined in the plasma and the maximum concentration (Cmax) reached in PF (mg/l) was close to 1 (0.9±0.5). No adverse effects were observed in any of the 31 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Anidulafungin at conventional doses reaches PF concentrations that exceed the minimum inhibitory concentration of the usual Candida spp, which explains the proven efficacy of this echinocandin in the treatment of Candida peritonitis in critically ill patients.

[Aflibercept. An approach to pharmacology]. / Aflibercept. Una aproximación a la farmacología.

Aflibercept is a fusion protein whose chemical structure combines the constant fraction of any IgG with a variable fraction constructed with fundamental parts of VEGF receptors. Consequently, it is able to bind to various VEGF as well as to placental growth factor (PIGF), which has been related to a possible synergistic effect in efficacy. The affinity of this drug is higher than that of ranibizumab and bevacizumab. Moreover, it has an intraocular antiinflammatory effect. Intravitreal administration leads to the presence of traces of the drug in plasma but the concentrations are so reduced that the presence of systemic adverse effects, including arterial hypertension, is practically nil. Because of its prolonged intraocular elimination half-life and high affinity, the drug can be administered in convenient regimens, since, after an initial monthly injection for the first three doses, the interval between injections is increased to one every two months and, after the first 12 months, the dosing will depend on the visual and anatomical results.

[Pharmacology of antimicrobials used in the treatment of serious Gram-positive bacteria infections]. / Farmacología de antimicrobianos utilizados en el tratamiento de las infecciones graves por bacterias grampositivas.

Antimicrobials with specific activity against Gram-positive cocci (glycopeptides, oxazolidinones and streptogramins) have pharmacokinetic differences that are important to know. Linezolid and teicoplanin can be administered extravascularly due to their good bioavailability, allowing their use as sequential therapy in patients requiring prolonged treatment. All of these antimicrobials have an adequate distribution in extracellular tissues, even teicoplanin, due to the balance between the fraction that is bound and unbound to plasma proteins and its long terminal half-life. As the elimination of glycopeptides is almost exclusively renal, it is necessary to perform a posology adjustment in patients with renal failure. Quinupristin/dalfopristin and linezolid are metabolized by the liver, but CYP450 is only involved in streptogramin elimination.

[Single-blind study of the efficacy of pirozadil versus alufibrate in the treatment of primary hyperlipoproteinemias]. / Estudio simple ciego sobre la eficacia del pirozadil versus alufibrato en el tratamiento de las hiperlipoproteinemias primarias.

Pirozadil and alufibrate are compared by a single-blind study over two groups 20 patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemia. Pirozadil seems more effective as a cholesterol-lowering agent. There were no adverse reactions. We conclude that pirozadil can be a valuable agent in preventing atherosclerotic disease.

[Ranibizumab versus bevacizumab. Pharmacological considerations]. / Ranibizumab frente a bevacizumab. Consideraciones farmacológicas.

Bevacizumab is able to cross ocular barriers when administered through the intravitreal route and to generate plasma concentrations with an inhibitory effect on plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Consequently, systemic effects cannot be ruled out. The fact that bevacizumab is a full-length IgG explains this phenomenon through the participation of FcRn receptors, whose binding-like that of all IgGs-implies their internalization, transfer to the cell membrane, and externalization to the intracellular space and blood. This process occurs in all tissues with cells expressing this type of receptor, such as the eye. Moreover, because of the absence of a specific formulation for intravitreal administration, an intravenous formulation must be manipulated, generating large-sized aggregates, leading to potential problems of the solution's sterility and reducing the pharmacological effect. Ranibizumab is not a full-length IgG but is rather a variable IgG fraction with anti-VEGF activity. Because of the absence of a constant fraction in its structure, this drug cannot bind to the FcRn receptor and, as a result, cannot be transported to the blood. Consequently, its systemic bioavailability after intravitreal administration is nil, thus avoiding effects in parts of the body other than the eye. Moreover, the formulation is specifically prepared for intraocular administration, avoiding problems due to manipulation. The experience gained with these drugs allows the differences in their efficacy and tolerability to be transferred to daily practice.

Bilastine for the relief of allergy symptoms.

Bilastine is a potent inhibitor of the histamine H1 receptor. It was recently approved in 28 countries of the European Union for the symptomatic treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria in adults and children older than 12 years. Data from preclinical studies confirmed its selectivity for the histamine H1 receptor over other receptors, and demonstrated antihistaminic and antiallergic properties in vivo. Studies in healthy volunteers and patients have shown that bilastine does not affect driving ability, cardiac conduction or alertness. Bilastine has demonstrated a good safety profile, without serious adverse effects or antimuscarinic effects in clinical trials. There were no significant changes in laboratory tests, electrocardiograms or vital signs. In clinical studies, oral treatment with bilastine 20 mg once daily improved allergic rhinitis with greater efficacy than placebo and comparable to cetirizine and desloratadine. Bilastine 20 mg was more effective than placebo and equivalent to levocetirizine in chronic urticaria, relieving symptoms, improving quality of life and controlling sleep disorders.