Relationship Between Real-time TDM-guided Pharmacodynamic Target Attainment of Continuous Infusion Beta-lactam Monotherapy and Microbiologic Outcome in the Treatment of Critically Ill Children With Severe Documented Gram-negative Infections

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the relationship between real-time therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)-guided pharmacodynamic target attainment of continuous infusion (CI) beta-lactam monotherapy and microbiological outcome in the treatment of critically ill children with severe documented Gram-negative infections. Methods: Observational, monocentric, retrospective study of critically ill patients receiving CI piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime, or meropenem in monotherapy for documented Gram-negative infections optimized by means of a real-time TDM-guided strategy. Average steady-state beta-lactam concentrations (Css) were calculated for each patient, and the beta-lactam Css/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratio was selected as a pharmacodynamic parameter of efficacy. The Css/MIC ratio was defined as optimal if ≥4, quasi-optimal if between 1 and 4, and suboptimal if <1. The relationship between Css/MIC and microbiological outcome was assessed. Results: Forty-six TDM assessments were carried out in 21 patients [median age 2 (interquartile range: 1–8) years]. Css/MIC ratios were optimal in 76.2% of cases. Patients with optimal Css/MIC ratios had both a significantly higher microbiological eradication rate (75.0% vs. 0.0%; P = 0.006) and lower resistance development rate (25.0% vs. 80.0%; P = 0.047) than those with quasi-optimal or suboptimal Css/MIC ratios. Quasi-optimal/suboptimal Css/MIC ratio occurred more frequently when patients had infections caused by pathogens with MIC values above the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing clinical breakpoint (100.0% vs. 6.3%; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Real-time TDM-guided pharmacodynamic target attainment of CI beta-lactam monotherapy allowed to maximize treatment efficacy in most critically ill children with severe Gram-negative infections. Attaining early optimal Css/MIC ratios of CI beta-lactams could be a key determinant associated with microbiological eradication during the treatment of Gram-negative infections. Larger prospective studies are warranted for confirming our findings.

Role of a Real-Time TDM-Based Expert Clinical Pharmacological Advice Program in Optimizing the Early Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Target Attainment of Continuous Infusion Beta-Lactams among Orthotopic Liver Transplant Recipients with Documented or Suspected Gram-Negative Infections

“…Also, MIC values against Gram-negative bacterial isolates, being above the EUCAST clinical breakpoint, emerged as an independent predictor of failure in attaining early optimal PK/PD targets among OLT recipients treated with beta-lactams. A recent study conducted among 21 critically ill pediatric patients showed that quasi-optimal/suboptimal beta-lactam PK/PD target attainment occurred more frequently among patients having infections caused by less susceptible pathogens with borderline in vitro susceptibility [42]. Clearly, this is in agreement with the fact that the beta-lactam doses for properly dealing with this issue should be higher than the standard ones [43].…”