Albumin concentration significantly impacts on free teicoplanin plasma concentrations in non-critically ill patients with chronic bone sepsis.

The impact of decreased serum albumin concentrations on free antibiotic concentrations in non-critically ill patients is poorly described. This study aimed to describe the pharmacokinetics of a high-dose regimen of teicoplanin, a highly protein-bound antibiotic, in non-critically ill patients with hypoalbuminaemia. Ten patients with chronic bone sepsis and decreased serum albumin concentrations (<35 g/L) receiving teicoplanin 12 mg/kg 12-hourly intravenously for 48 h followed by 12 mg/kg once daily were enrolled.

Pharmacokinetics of once-daily dosing of ertapenem in critically ill patients with severe sepsis.

Adequate data on the pharmacokinetics of once-daily administration of ertapenem in critically ill patients are largely lacking. This single-centre, prospective, open-label study was performed on a cohort of eight critically ill patients with severe sepsis with normal renal function treated with 1g of ertapenem once daily. Samples of venous blood and urine were collected before infusion and at specific time points in the 24-h post-infusion period.

Determination of trinitrotoluene and metabolites in urine by means of gas-chromatography with mass detection.

Biological monitoring of chemicals and/or their metabolites has been a recent development in South Africa with the publication of the Hazardous Chemical Substance Regulations in 1995. Although trinitrotoluene (TNT) exposure has been included in recent legislative developments, only occupational exposure limits have been set. TNT does not have a biological exposure index in South Africa or internationally.