Determination of optimal loading and maintenance doses for continuous infusion of vancomycin in critically ill patients: Population pharmacokinetic modelling and simulations for improved dosing schemes

Age-Related Differences in Vancomycin-Associated Nephrotoxicity and Efficacy in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection: A Comparative Study between Elderly and Adult Patients

Elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years) are susceptible to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, with potential for more adverse treatment outcomes or complications compared to younger adults (18-64 years). This study compared vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity and efficacy in elderly and adult patients and investigated the correlation between vancomycin pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) indices and clinical outcomes. A prospective study was conducted in 10 hospitals in Shanghai from October 2012 to November 2019. A total of 164 patients with MRSA infections were enrolled, including 83 elderly and 81 adult patients. Vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) was performed in all patients, indicating significantly higher vancomycin trough concentrations (Ctrough), 24-h area under the curve (AUC24) values, and AUC24/minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC24/MIC) values in elderly patients compared to adult patients. The incidence of vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity was nearly three times higher in elderly patients (18.1% vs. 6.2%, p = 0.020), despite similar clinical and microbiological efficacy. Of particular importance, a Ctrough > 20 mg/L was found as an independent factor of nephrotoxicity in elderly patients. Further analysis of patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 also revealed that elderly patients had significantly higher vancomycin-related PK/PD indices and more nephrotoxicity than adult patients. In conclusion, elderly patients receiving vancomycin therapy face a higher risk of nephrotoxicity, which requires close vancomycin TDM, especially when the Ctrough exceeds 20 mg/L.

Population Pharmacokinetics and Model-Based Dose Optimization of Vancomycin in Sudanese Adult Patients with Renal Impairment

Purpose

The study aimed to perform a population pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis to obtain vancomycin PK parameter estimates in Sudanese adult patients. The population PK model is then applied to perform model-based dose optimization.

Patients and Methods

Data were collected through a retrospective, single-center, observational cohort study performed in Aliaa Specialist Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. A population PK model was developed using the MonolixSuite 2020R1 to explore the potential effects of demographics and laboratory covariates on vancomycin PK. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to optimize dosage regimens as a function of creatinine clearance (CLcr) and virtual patients were partitioned into five CLcr groups.

Results

We retrospectively collected 194 vancomycin plasma concentrations from 99 adults. The median (interquartile range) for age (years) and CLcr (mL/min) were 65 (50-75) and 12.7 (5.52-25.78), respectively. Vancomycin PK data were best fitted using a one-compartment model with linear elimination. The estimates of clearance and volume of distribution were 2.02 L/h and 65 L, respectively. CLcr was identified as the main covariate explaining the PK variability in vancomycin CL. CL significantly decreased with decreasing CLcr. For the five CLcr groups evaluated, a tailored vancomycin daily maintenance dose (using patients' CLcr) ranged from 200 to 1650 mg. Overall, simulations showed that 45% (CI; 41.11-47.36%) of patients would achieve a target AUC with the suggested dosages.

Conclusion

A population PK model of vancomycin was developed using data obtained from adult Sudanese patients. Model-based dose optimization can aid clinicians in selecting initial vancomycin doses that will maximize the likelihood of a favorable treatment response.

Population pharmacokinetics of antibacterial agents in the older population: a literature review

INTRODUCTION

Older individuals face an elevated risk of developing bacterial infections. The optimal use of antibacterial agents in this population is challenging because of age-related physiological alterations, changes in pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD), and the presence of multiple underlying diseases. Therefore, population pharmacokinetics (PPK) studies are of great importance for optimizing individual treatments and prompt identification of potential risk factors.

AREA COVERED

Our search involved keywords such as 'elderly,' 'old people,' and 'geriatric,' combined with 'population pharmacokinetics' and 'antibacterial agents.' This comprehensive search yielded 11 categories encompassing 28 antibacterial drugs, including vancomycin, ceftriaxone, meropenem, and linezolid. Out of 127 studies identified, 26 (20.5%) were associated with vancomycin, 14 (11%) with meropenem, and 14 (11%) with piperacillin. Other antibacterial agents were administered less frequently.

EXPERT OPINION

PPK studies are invaluable for elucidating the characteristics and relevant factors affecting the PK of antibacterial agents in the older population. Further research is warranted to develop and validate PPK models for antibacterial agents in this vulnerable population.

Model-informed precision dosing in vancomycin treatment

Introduction: While vancomycin remains a widely prescribed antibiotic, it can cause ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity, both of which are concentration-associated. Overtreatment can occur when the treatment lasts for an unnecessarily long time. Using a model-informed precision dosing scheme, this study aims to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) model for vancomycin to determine the optimal dosage regimen and treatment duration in order to avoid drug-induced toxicity. Methods: The data were obtained from electronic medical records of 542 patients, including 40 children, and were analyzed using NONMEM software. For PK, vancomycin concentrations were described with a two-compartment model incorporating allometry scaling. Results and discussion: This revealed that systemic clearance decreased with creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, history of diabetes and renal diseases, and further decreased in women. On the other hand, the central volume of distribution increased with age. For PD, C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma concentrations were described by transit compartments and were found to decrease with the presence of pneumonia. Simulations demonstrated that, given the model informed optimal doses, peak and trough concentrations as well as the area under the concentration-time curve remained within the therapeutic range, even at doses smaller than routine doses, for most patients. Additionally, CRP levels decreased more rapidly with the higher dose starting from 10 days after treatment initiation. The developed R Shiny application efficiently visualized the time courses of vancomycin and CRP concentrations, indicating its applicability in designing optimal treatment schemes simply based on visual inspection.

Penetration of Vancomycin into Noninfected Bone in Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty Evaluated by a Minimal Physiologically Based Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling Approach

Arthroplasty is a healthcare priority and represents high volume, high cost surgery. Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) results in significant mortality, thus it is vital that the risk for PJI is minimized. Vancomycin is recommended for surgical prophylaxis in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) by current clinical practice guidelines endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. This study aimed to develop a new assay to determine vancomycin concentrations in serum and bone, and a minimal physiologically based population PK (mPBPK) model to evaluate vancomycin bone penetration in noninfected patients. Eleven patients undergoing TJA received 0.5-2.0 g intravenous vancomycin over 12-150 min before surgery. Excised bone specimens and four blood samples were collected per patient. Bone samples were pulverized under liquid nitrogen using a cryogenic mill. Vancomycin concentrations in serum and bone were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and subjected to mPBPK modeling. Vancomycin serum and bone concentrations ranged from 9.30 to 86.6 mg/L, and 1.94-37.0 mg/L, respectively. Average bone to serum concentration ratio was 0.41 (0.16-1.0) based on the collected samples. The population mean total body clearance was 2.12L/h/kg^0.75. Inclusion of total body weight as a covariate substantially decreased interindividual variability in clearance. The bone/blood partition coefficient (K_pbone) was estimated at 0.635, reflecting the average bone/blood concentration ratio at steady-state. The model predicted median ratio of vancomycin area under the curve (AUC) for bone/AUC for serum was 44%. Observed vancomycin concentrations in bone were overall consistent with perfusion-limited distribution from blood to bone. An mPBPK model overall well described vancomycin concentrations in serum and bone.

Evaluation of vancomycin pharmacokinetics in patients with augmented renal clearances: A randomized clinical trial

Purpose: Vancomycin is a narrow therapeutic window glycopeptide antibiotic that acts against Gram-positive bacteria. As it is renally eliminated, therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended for vancomycin, especially in case of kidney function alteration. Augmented renal clearance (ARC), defined as a creatinine clearance of more than 130 ml/min, is a risk factor for sub-therapeutic concentrations of vancomycin. This study aimed to evaluate the vancomycin pharmacokinetics following the administration of two different regimens in ARC patients.

Methods: A randomized clinical trial (IRCT20180802040665N1) was conducted on patients in need of vancomycin therapy. Eight hours of urine was collected and 56 patients divided into two groups with creatinine clearance of more than 130 ml/min were included in the study. The first group received 15 mg/kg of vancomycin every 12 h and the second group 15 mg/kg every 8 h. After four doses, the peak and trough concentrations were measured from two blood samples. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients who attainted AUC more than 400. The occurrence of acute kidney injury also was evaluated after seven days.

Results: The mean age of patients in the every 12 h and every 8 h groups was 44.04 ± 16.55 and 42.86 ± 11.83 years, respectively. While neurosurgical issues were the most common causes of hospitalization, central nervous infections were the most common indications for vancomycin initiation. Urinary creatinine clearance was 166.94 ± 41.32 ml/min in the every 12 h group and 171.78 ± 48.56 ml/min in the every 8 h group. 46.42% of patients in the every 12 h group and 82.14% of patients in the every 8 h group attained AUC/MIC of more than 400 mg × hr/L. None of the patients in the every 12 h group reached more than 15 mcg/ml concentration. At the 7-day follow-up, 10.7% patients in the BD group and 28.6% patients in the TDS group developed acute kidney injury (p = 0.089).

Conclusion: Administration of vancomycin at a dose of 15 mg/kg every 8 h is associated with higher pharmacokinetic attainment in ARC patients. The occurrence of acute kidney injury also was not significantly higher in this therapeutic regimen. AUC/MIC monitoring is necessary in this population.

Augmented Renal Clearance in Severe Infections-An Important Consideration in Vancomycin Dosing: A Narrative Review

Vancomycin is a hydrophilic antibiotic widely used in severe infections, including bacteremia and central nervous system (CNS) infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), coagulase-negative staphylococci and enterococci. Appropriate antimicrobial dosage regimens can help achieve the target exposure and improve clinical outcomes. However, vancomycin exposure in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is challenging to predict due to rapidly changing pathophysiological processes and patient-specific factors. Vancomycin concentrations may be decreased for peripheral infections due to augmented renal clearance (ARC) and increased distribution caused by systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), increased capillary permeability, and aggressive fluid resuscitation. Additionally, few studies on vancomycin’s pharmacokinetics (PK) in CSF for CNS infections. The relationship between exposure and clinical response is unclear, challenging for adequate antimicrobial therapy. Accurate prediction of vancomycin pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) in patients with high interindividual variation is critical to increase the likelihood of achieving therapeutic targets. In this review, we describe the interaction between ARC and vancomycin PK/PD, patient-specific factors that influence the achievement of target exposure, and recent advances in optimizing vancomycin dosing schedules for severe infective patients with ARC.

Comparison of area under the curve for vancomycin from one- and two-compartment models using sparse data

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Vancomycin pharmacokinetics have been described by both one- and two-compartment models. One-compartment models are widely used to predict the area under the curve (AUC), a useful parameter for determining the efficacy and safety of vancomycin, based on sparse data collected during therapeutic drug monitoring. It is uncertain whether AUCs from one-compartment models with sparsely sampled data can sufficiently represent the true AUC. This study aimed to compare AUC estimates from one- and two-compartment models using sparse data. The reliability of AUCs from models constructed with trough-only data was also assessed.

METHODS

A previously published robust model was used to simulate vancomycin concentration points at 15 min intervals in 100 patients. From these simulated data, the reference AUC (AUC_ref) was calculated and two depleted dataset versions (trough-only and peak-trough datasets) were also created. One- and two-compartment models were built from the depleted datasets with the use of NONMEM. Vancomycin 24-hour AUC was calculated from concentration-time profiles of each model by a linear trapezoidal formula at three different time periods: 0-24 hours (AUC_0-24), 24-48 hours (AUC_24-48) and 0-48 hours (AUC_avg). The deviation of each of the AUCs from the AUC_ref was examined to assess the AUC predictability of models from sparse data. The difference in AUCs between one- and two-compartment models was analysed from statistical and clinical perspectives.

RESULTS

When assessing the deviation of each AUC from the AUC_ref, the one-compartment model from both peak-trough and trough-only data could adequately represent the true AUC with no statistically significant differences. Two-compartment model from peak-trough data also provided similar AUC estimates with the AUCref. However, AUCs from the two-compartment model with trough-only data did not adequately represent the true AUC, with significant differences of 25.16% for AUC_0-24, 15.92% for AUC_24-48 and 19.45% for AUC_avg.

CONCLUSION

Regardless of statistically significant differences between AUCs from one- and two-compartment models, the level of difference was acceptable from the clinical perspective, being <17% in models from peak-trough data. Therefore, both one- and two-compartment models with sparse data having at least a pair of peak-trough data per patient could be reliable for predicting AUC. Furthermore, AUCs of the one-compartment model from trough-only data did not show a significant difference from the AUC_ref. Hence, one-compartment models developed from trough-only data could be useful for predicting AUC when models with rich data are not available for the intended population. However, it is suggested that the use of the two-compartment model built from trough-only data should be avoided.

Impact of a vancomycin loading dose on the achievement of target vancomycin exposure in the first 24 h and on the accompanying risk of nephrotoxicity in critically ill patients

Background

The advocated pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) target for vancomycin, AUC/MIC ≥ 400 mg·h/L, may not be reached with a conventional fixed starting dose of 1000 mg in critically ill patients, but increasing the dose may cause nephrotoxicity.

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of a weight-based loading dose of 25 mg/kg vancomycin on PK/PD target attainment in the first 24 h (AUC_0–24) in critically ill patients and to evaluate whether this increases the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI).

Patients and methods

A prospective observational before/after study was performed in ICU patients, comparing the percentage of vancomycin courses with AUC_0–24 ≥ 400 mg·h/L and the incidence of AKI, defined as worsening of the risk, injury, failure, loss of kidney function and end-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) score. The conventional dose group received 1000 mg of vancomycin as initial dose; the loading dose group received a weight-based loading dose of 25 mg/kg. A population PK model developed using non-linear mixed-effects modelling was used to estimate AUC_0–24 in all patients.

Results

One hundred and four courses from 82 patients were included. With a loading dose, the percentage of courses achieving AUC_0–24 ≥ 400 mg·h/L increased significantly from 53.8% to 88.0% (P = 0.0006). The percentage of patients with new-onset AKI was not significantly higher when receiving a 25 mg/kg loading dose (28.6% versus 37.8%; P = 0.48). However, the risk of AKI was significantly higher in patients achieving AUC_0–24 > 400 mg·h/L compared with patients achieving AUC < 400 mg·h/L (39.0% versus 14.8%; P = 0.031).

Conclusions

A weight-based loading dose of 25 mg/kg vancomycin led to significantly more patients achieving AUC_0–24 ≥ 400 mg·h/L without increased risk of AKI. However, some harm cannot be ruled out since higher exposure was associated with increased risk of AKI.

Impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on Vancomycin Usage: Costs and Outcomes at Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Background

Nowadays, with the emergence of vancomycin-resistant strains, the clinical use of vancomycin has been followed closely by applying the antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) to enhance effectiveness in treatment and reduce cost burden for patients.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases was conducted to assess the inpatient status assigned to intravenous vancomycin and factors associated with the cost of treatment during two periods of implementing ASP, which were i) from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2018 (previous ASP-pASP) and ii) from June 1, 2018 to March 31, 2020 (new ASP-nASP).

Results

Among 1375 patients who met the sampling criteria, there were 601 and 774 patients in pASP and nASP, respectively. The rate of no improvement/mortality in the pASP was higher than that in nASP (37.10% vs 25.98%, p <0.05). The proportion of patients with two or more infection episodes in nASP is lower than that in pASP (9.83% vs 18.64%, p<0.05). Besides, nASP has higher length of therapy (LOT) and higher day of therapy (DOT). The average treatment cost in the pASP is higher than that in the nASP, 1891.22 (95% CI, 1713.46–2068.98) USD vs 1775.55 (95% CI, 1576.22–1974.88) USD. There are seven factors (p<0.05) that associate with the total cost of treatment (age, number of infection episodes, length of stay, discharge status, clinical department, LOT, DOT) in pASP. On the other hand, the nASP has five factors (p<0.001), in which the log(LOT) and age are not as statistically significant (p=0.5127 and 0.3852, respectively) as in the pASP model.

Conclusion

The implementation and improvement of the ASP at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases have initially shown benefits for patients using intravenous vancomycin. Specifically, the ASP helps to reduce treatment costs, improve patient outcomes, reduce length of stay and decrease the average daily dose of vancomycin.

Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Vancomycin in Thai Patients With Heterogeneous and Unstable Renal Function

BACKGROUND

Vancomycin is widely used to treat gram-positive bacterial infections. However, given significant interpatient variability in its pharmacokinetics, maintaining plasma concentrations is difficult within its characteristically narrow therapeutic window. This is especially challenging in patients with unstable renal function. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model for vancomycin that is suitable for Thai patients with variable renal functions, including those with unstable renal function.

METHODS

Data from 213 patients, including 564 blood samples, were retrospectively collected; approximately 70% patients exhibited unstable renal function during vancomycin treatment. The model building group was randomly assigned 108 patients and the remaining 33 patients comprised the validation group. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed that incorporated drug clearance (CL) as a function of time-varying creatine clearance (CrCL). The predictive ability of the resulting population model was evaluated using the validation data set, including its ability to forecast serum concentrations within a Bayesian feedback algorithm.

RESULTS

A 2-compartment model with drug CL values that changed with time-varying CrCL adequately described vancomycin pharmacokinetics in the evaluated heterogeneous patient population with unstable renal function. Vancomycin CL was related to time-varying CrCL as follows: CL (t) = 0.11 + 0.021 × CrCL (t) (CrCL <120 mL/min. Using the population model, Bayesian estimation with at least one measured serum concentration resulted in a forecasting error of small bias (-2.4%) and adequate precision (31.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

In hospitals with a high incidence of unstable renal function, incorporating time-varying CrCL with Bayesian estimation and at least one measured drug concentration, along with frequent CrCL monitoring, improves the predictive performance of therapeutic drug monitoring of vancomycin.

Detection of Genetic Elements Carrying vanA in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus saigonensis VE80T Isolated from Retail Chicken Meat

In this study, we aimed to detect genetic elements carrying vanA in Enterococcus saigonensis VE80^T isolated from retail chicken in Vietnam. The structures of vancomycin-resistance determinants and the location of vancomycin-resistance genes were detected by sequencing the vanA gene cluster, Southern hybridization analyses, and whole-genome sequence analyses. The Tn1546-related elements harboring vanA clusters, which exhibited a characteristic structure with five point mutations compared with the prototype Tn1546, were located on the 76-kb plasmid pVE80-1 of VE80^T. The vanS sequence of VE80^T harboring three point mutations was 100% identical to those of vancomycin-resistant enterococci isolated from poultry in Taiwan and Japan, indicating that the element may be prevalent in poultry production farms in Asia.

A simple scoring method to predict augmented renal clearance in haematologic malignancies

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Augmented renal clearance (ARC; hyperfiltration with over 130 mL/min/1.73 m² of creatinine clearance (CL_cr )) commonly occurs in critically ill patients. Recent reports indicate that ARC also occurs in haematologic malignancies. However, the risk factors for ARC in haematologic malignancies remain unknown, and there is no established method to predict ARC in haematologic malignancies. Our objective was to explore the risk factors for ARC retrospectively and develop a scoring method to predict ARC.

METHODS

A single-centre, retrospective, observational cohort study was conducted at the Sendai Medical Center (Sendai, Japan); 133 patients (April 2017-March 2019) and 41 patients (April-November 2019) with haematopoietic tumours who were administered vancomycin were enrolled in the analysis and validation cohorts, respectively. To define ARC, we calculated the vancomycin serum concentration when CL_cr  = 130 mL/min/1.73 m² using a one-compartment model. Patients with ARC were defined as those whose actual concentration of vancomycin remained lower than the calculated concentration. Using the analysis cohort, we explored risk factors of ARC and developed a scoring method to predict ARC in haematologic malignancies. The reproducibility of the scoring system was demonstrated using the validation cohort.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Through multivariate analysis, young age (P < .001), leukaemia (P = .001) and low serum creatinine (P < .001) were identified as risk factors. According to this result, we established the ARC detection method: age ≤ 50 years = 3 points, 50 years < age ≤65 years = 1 point, leukaemia = 2 points, low SCr = 2 points; patients scoring ≥ 5 points represent the ARC high-risk group. Using this scoring system, we could detect ARC with a sensitivity and specificity of 60.0% and 89.7% in the analysis cohort and 90.0% and 90.9% in the validation cohort, respectively.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Our scoring method could predict ARC in haematologic malignancies and is useful as a simple screening tool for ARC.