The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy
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J. Antimicrob. Chemother. · Jan 2016
Case ReportsSubcutaneous ivermectin use in the treatment of severe Strongyloides stercoralis infection: two case reports and a discussion of the literature.
Strongyloides stercoralis infection presents with varying degrees of severity, but it often primarily involves the small bowel. In severe infection and cases of hyperinfection, ileus and small-bowel obstruction may prevent enteral absorption of anthelminthics such as ivermectin. At present there are no parenteral anthelminthics licensed for use in humans. ⋯ Despite the limited published experience of parenteral ivermectin use, there is evidence that it may be a safe and effective treatment for severe strongyloidiasis. However, more data are needed to guide dosing schedules and monitoring for toxicity.
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J. Antimicrob. Chemother. · Jan 2016
Multicenter StudyIs prolonged infusion of piperacillin/tazobactam and meropenem in critically ill patients associated with improved pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic and patient outcomes? An observation from the Defining Antibiotic Levels in Intensive care unit patients (DALI) cohort.
We utilized the database of the Defining Antibiotic Levels in Intensive care unit patients (DALI) study to statistically compare the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic and clinical outcomes between prolonged-infusion and intermittent-bolus dosing of piperacillin/tazobactam and meropenem in critically ill patients using inclusion criteria similar to those used in previous prospective studies. ⋯ Analysis of this large dataset has provided additional data on the niche benefits of administration of piperacillin/tazobactam and meropenem by prolonged infusion in critically ill patients, particularly for patients with respiratory infections.
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J. Antimicrob. Chemother. · Dec 2015
ReviewTherapeutic drug monitoring of the β-lactam antibiotics: what is the evidence and which patients should we be using it for?
Traditional antibiotic dosing was not designed for today's escalating antibiotic resistance, lack of novel antibiotics and growing complexity in patient populations. Dosing that ensures optimal antibiotic exposures should be considered essential to increase the likelihood of effective patient treatment. Given the variability in these exposures across different patients, a 'one-dose-fits-all' approach is increasingly problematic. ⋯ Patients most likely to benefit from such an intervention include the critically ill, the obese, the elderly and those with cystic fibrosis. Most centres actively performing β-lactam TDM target a minimum 100% of the time during the dosing interval that the free (unbound) concentration of antibiotic exceeds the MIC of the pathogen (100% fT>MIC), which is higher than a traditional target supported by in vitro data. Ideally, isolated pathogens should undergo MIC testing along with TDM on a regular basis, allowing clinicians to address the triad of bug, drug and patient ('mug') in equal measure.
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J. Antimicrob. Chemother. · Nov 2015
Observational StudyCombination of Candida biomarkers in patients receiving empirical antifungal therapy in a Spanish tertiary hospital: a potential role in reducing the duration of treatment.
Initiation of empirical antifungal therapy for invasive candidiasis (IC) is usually based on clinical suspicion. Serological biomarkers have not yet been studied as a means of ruling out IC. We evaluated the potential role of two combined biomarkers in stopping unnecessary antifungals in patients at risk of IC in the ICU and in other wards. ⋯ Serial determination of CAGTA/BDG during empirical antifungal therapy has a high sensitivity and negative predictive value. If properly confirmed, this strategy could be used to discontinue antifungal treatment in at least 31% of patients as a complementary tool in antifungal stewardship programmes.
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J. Antimicrob. Chemother. · Nov 2015
Budget impact analysis of CYP2C19-guided voriconazole prophylaxis in AML.
The objective of this study was to determine the economic impact of proactive, CYP2C19 genotype-guided voriconazole prophylaxis in AML. ⋯ The model, based on the robust literature of clinical and economic data, predicts that proactive genotype-guided voriconazole prophylaxis is likely to yield modest cost savings while improving patient outcomes. The primary driver of savings is the avoidance of expensive antifungal treatment and extended hospital stays, costing $30 952 per patient, in patients succumbing to fungal infection.