Real-world experience of therapeutic drug monitoring and PK/PD achievement of ceftaroline administered by different infusion regimens in patients with confirmed infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria.

Background: Ceftaroline is a novel cephalosporin active against MDR Gram-positive (GP) bacteria. For β-lactam antibiotics, such as ceftaroline, prolonged infusions and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) are used for dosage optimization based on their pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD).

Objectives: To describe our experience with TDM and PK/PD target attainment of ceftaroline administered by intermittent and prolonged infusion in a cohort of patients with MDR-GP bacterial infections.

Methods: Patients treated with ceftaroline administered by continuous (24 h), extended (3 h/6 h) and intermittent infusion (1 h) and undergoing TDM of plasma concentrations were included. A 100%fT>4×MIC was the pre-specified PK/PD target and 100%fT>10×MIC was considered overexposure. Dose recommendations were made based on TDM results and each patient's clinical condition.

Results: Twelve patients [83.3% male, median age of 73 (38-83) years] were included. Nine patients (75%) achieved 100%fT>4×MIC, all under prolonged infusions. In one patient, the 100%fT was >10×MIC but no toxicity was observed. Based on TDM results, initial doses were recommended to be maintained in eight patients, decreased in three and increased in one.

Conclusions: The administration of ceftaroline by prolonged infusion together with TDM may be a useful strategy for achieving the desired PK/PD target in these patients. However, more studies evaluating the relationship between PK/PD attainment and clinical outcomes are needed.