Impact of renal replacement therapy strategy on beta-lactam plasma concentrations: the BETAKIKI study-an ancillary study of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Sepsis prognosis correlates with antibiotic adequacy at the early phase. This adequacy is dependent on antibacterial spectrum, bacterial resistance profile and antibiotic dosage. Optimal efficacy of beta-lactams mandates concentrations above the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the targeted bacteria for the longest time possible over the day.

Automated measurement of neutrophil CD64 expression for diagnosing sepsis in critically ill patients.

Background: Although early identification of sepsis improves outcome, prompt and correct diagnostic remains often challenging. The expression of the high affinity immunoglobulin-Fc fragment receptor I CD64 on neutrophils is upregulated during acute inflammation. We here aimed at determining the usefulness of its rapid measurement in diagnosing sepsis.

Efficacy and toxicity of aerosolised colistin in ventilator-associated pneumonia: a prospective, randomised trial.

Background: Cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacilli (GNB) mainly Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enterobacteria are common in hospitalised patients of Tunisian intensive care units (ICUs). Parenteral colistin has been used for the therapy of VAP caused by MDR GNB at Tunisian hospitals over the past few years with a favourable clinical response. However, its use fell out of favour because of the reported drug-related nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity.

Efficacy and Toxicity of High-Dose Colistin in Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacilli Infections: A Comparative Study of a Matched Series.

Background: Colistimethate sodium (CMS) is the commercialized form of colistin that is effective against multiresistant Gram-negative bacilli. Its main side effects are nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Pharmacodynamic dosages showed that they were infratherapeutic.