Evaluation of serum concentrations achieved with an empiric once-daily tobramycin dosage regimen in children and adults with cystic fibrosis.

Objectives: To assess the ability of an empiric once-daily dosing (ODD) tobramycin regimen to achieve desired serum concentrations in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF); to determine an optimal dosage regimen, using pharmacodynamic parameters; and to evaluate clinical response, adverse effects, and patient/parent satisfaction with ODD.

Methods: This was a prospective single-center trial in patients with CF who are 5 years of age and older requiring intravenous antibiotics. Tobramycin, 10 mg/kg every 24 hours, was infused over 60 minutes, and two serum concentrations were analyzed using 1-compartment pharmacokinetic modeling.

Consensus summary of aerosolized antimicrobial agents: application of guideline criteria. Insights from the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.

Aerosolized delivery of antimicrobial agents is an attractive option for management of pulmonary infections, as this is an ideal method of providing high local drug concentrations while minimizing systemic exposure. With the paucity of consensus regarding the safety, efficacy, and means with which to use aerosolized antimicrobials, a task force was created by the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists to critically review and evaluate the literature on the use of aerosolized antiinfective agents. This article summarizes key findings and statements for preventing or treating a variety of infectious diseases, including cystic fibrosis, bronchiecstasis, hospital-acquired pneumonia, fungal infections, nontuberculosis mycobacterial infection, and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia.

A clinical review of echinocandins in pediatric patients.

Objective: To identify and evaluate available data on pediatric echinocandin use.

Data Sources: A PubMed search, limited to English-language articles, was conducted (1990-August 2009) using the search terms echinocandin, pediatric, child, pharmacokinetics, caspofungin, micafungin, and anidulafungin. Additional articles were retrieved from citations of selected references.

Pertussis resurgence: diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and beyond.

The introduction of routine vaccination against Bordetella pertussis more than a half century ago led to a drastic decline in the number of reported cases of pertussis. It was originally believed that lifelong immunity was afforded after vaccination. Unfortunately, this belief is flawed, as the highest number of pertussis cases since 1959 was reported in 2004.

Antibiotic lock technique: review of the literature.

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are frequently used for patients requiring long-term venous access. Catheter-related infection is a serious complication associated with extended use of a CVC and can result in catheter removal. The antibiotic lock technique, a controversial method for sterilizing the catheter lumen, involves instilling high concentrations of antibiotics with or without heparin into the catheter lumen for extended periods of time.

The effect of an antimicrobial restriction program on Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance to beta-lactams in a large teaching hospital.

Study Objectives: To compare the use of beta-lactams and subsequent Pseudomonas aeruginosa sensitivity patterns before and after implementation of a clinical pharmacist-facilitated antimicrobial restriction program in August 1997.

Design: Retrospective consecutive data collection.

Setting: Large university-affiliated medical center.

Risk factors for arthralgias or myalgias associated with quinupristin-dalfopristin therapy.

Study Objective: To evaluate risk factors for the development of arthralgias or myalgias associated with quinupristin-dalfopristin.

Design: Retrospective chart review and case-control analysis.

Setting: An 850-bed tertiary care medical center.