Treatment of infections by staphylococci and other gram-positive bacteria with teicoplanin: an open study

Population pharmacokinetics and dosing optimization of unbound teicoplanin in Chinese adult patients

Objectives: To develop a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model describing unbound teicoplanin concentrations in Chinese adult patients and perform Monte Carlo simulations to optimize the dosing regimens. Methods: The raw data for PopPK analysis in this study were collected from Chinese adult patients. A PopPK model of unbound teicoplanin was developed and Monte Carlo simulations were used to optimize the dosing regimens. The trough concentrations of unbound teicoplanin were targeted at 0.75 mg/L and 1.13 mg/L for most infection induced by Gram-positive bacteria and endocarditis or severe infections, respectively. Results: A total of 103 teicoplanin unbound concentrations were collected from 72 Chinese adult patients. A one-compartment pharmacokinetic model with first-order elimination was established. The typical values of clearance and the volume of distribution were 11.7 L/h and 811 L, respectively. The clearance and volume of distribution of unbound teicoplanin were positively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum albumin concentrations, respectively. Dosing simulation results showed that standard dosing regimens were unable to meet the treatment needs of all patients, and the dosing regimen need optimize based on eGFR and serum albumin concentrations. The high eGFR and serum albumin concentration were associated with reduced probability of achieving target unbound trough concentrations. Conclusion: We successfully characterized the pharmacokinetics of unbound teicoplanin in Chinese adult patients. Importantly, we further highlight the importance of guiding dosing through unbound drugs. To achieve safe and effective treatment, the dosing regimens need to be adjusted according to eGFR and serum albumin concentrations.

Glycopeptide-Induced Neutropenia: Cross-Reactivity Between Vancomycin and Teicoplanin

Objective:

To report teicoplanin-related neutropenia that developed after an episode of neutropenia induced by vancomycin therapy.

Case Summary:

A 57-year-old female suffered from osteomyelitis of the left humerus, with a white blood cell (WBC) count of 2.8 × 103/mm3 and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 0.28 × 103/mm3, occurring after 24 days of vancomycin therapy. Vancomycin was changed to teicoplanin and the agranulocytosis resolved 4 days later. However, a new episode of neutropenia, with a WBC count of 2.8 × 103/mm3 and ANC of 0.448 × 103/mm3, occurred 11 days after teicoplanin initiation. Agranulocytosis resolved 4 days following withdrawal of teicoplanin.

Discussion:

Because of the close time relationship between drug administration and the development of symptoms and signs, as well as between drug withdrawal and changes in WBC count and ANC, the episodes of neutropenia were suspected to be drug related. Teicoplanin-induced agranulocytosis that followed vancomycin-induced agranulocytosis suggests a possible cross-reactivity between the 2 drugs. Both reactions were categorized as probable according to the Naranjo probability scale.

Conclusions:

For all patients with vancomycin-induced neutropenia, possible cross-reactivity of teicoplanin should be monitored.

A Case of Teicoplanin-Induced Pancytopenia Caused by Excessive Dosing

Teicoplanin is reported to be as effective as vancomycin but with minimal side effects. We report a case of teicoplanin-induced pancytopenia, which has not been demonstrated previously. A 44-year-old man with tetraplegia was treated with a diagnosis of urinary tract infection and pneumonia, and a high-dose of teicoplanin (400 mg every 12 hours) was administered for 4 days inadvertently. Although the infection rapidly improved, the patient developed pancytopenia by the fourth day of teicoplanin therapy, which was improved after reducing the dose of teicoplanin (200 mg/d). Our patient represents a probable case of teicoplanin-induced pancytopenia with adverse drug reaction probability score of 6.

Tolerability of teicoplanin in 117 hospitalized adults with previous vancomycin-induced fever, rash, or neutropenia: a retrospective chart review

BACKGROUND

Vancomycin has reliable antibacterial activity against many gram-positive pathogens but is associated with many adverse events. Teicoplanin, another glycopeptide, is associated with fewer adverse events, but its use in patients with previous vancomycin-induced adverse reactions remains controversial.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this work were to evaluate the clinical characteristics of hospitalized patients with vancomycin-induced fever (ie, drug fever), rash, or neutropenia and to examine the tolerability of teicoplanin in these patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of the medical charts of patients aged >or=18 years who were hospitalized between January 2002 and October 2007 at National Cheng Kung University Hospital in Tainan, Taiwan. Patients were included if they experienced drug-induced fever (ie, "drug fever"), rash, or neutropenia during vancomycin treatment. Their antimicrobial therapy was subsequently switched to teicoplanin. Clinical information and the development of drug fever, rash, or neutropenia with teicoplanin were determined from the charts.

RESULTS

Antibiotic therapy was switched to teicoplanin in 117 patients with vancomycin-induced fever alone (n = 24), rash alone (n = 77), both drug fever and rash (n = 8), or neutropenia (n = 8). The mean (SD) age of these patients was 53.1 (22.8) years, and 65 (56%) were male. The major clinical indications for vancomycin therapy among these patients were wound infections (21%), respiratory tract infections (14%), and bacteremia (13%). The dosages for vancomycin ranged from 1 g every 5 days to 1 g BID, and for teicoplanin ranged from 400 mg daily to 400 mg q72h, adjusted by the degree of renal dysfunction. Overall, 12 patients with vancomycin-induced fever (n = 2), rash (n = 6), or neutropenia (n = 4) subsequently developed teicoplanin-induced fever (n = 3), rash (n = 3), or neutropenia (n = 6). Specifically, of 8 patients with vancomycin-induced neutropenia, 4 (50%) subsequently developed neutropenia after switching to teicoplanin. Vancomycin- and teicoplanin-induced neutropenia was often noted after 1 week of treatment. Among patients with vancomycin-induced fever, rash, or neutropenia, there were no differences between patients with or without teicoplanin-induced fever, rash, or neutropenia in terms of age, sex, weight, dosage or duration of vancomycin therapy, dosage of teicoplanin, or underlying disease. There was no difference in mortality rates between patients with or without teicoplanin-induced fever, rash, or neutropenia. The cause of all deaths was progression of infectious or underlying disease, unrelated to vancomycin or teicoplanin use.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this retrospective chart review of hospitalized patients with vancomycin-induced fever, rash, or neutropenia, only 10% experienced subsequent teicoplanin-induced fever, rash, or neutropenia. However, it should be noted that half of the patients with vancomycin-induced neutropenia developed teicoplanin-induced neutropenia.

Vascular Graft Infection by Staphylococcus aureus: Efficacy of Cefazolin, Teicoplanin and Vancomycin Prophylaxis Protocols in a Rat Model

OBJECTIVES

Prophylactic efficiencies of cefazolin, teicoplanin and vancomycin in a dacron graft infection model caused by methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) or -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were investigated.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Infections were established subcutaneously in the back of rats by implantation of Dacron prostheses followed by topical inoculation onto grafts of MSSA or MRSA. Experimental groups were as follows: Uncontaminated group (control), MSSA- or MRSA-contaminated and untreated groups, MSSA- or MRSA-contaminated groups treated with cefazolin, teicoplanin or vancomycin by one of three regimens (one day, two days, or three days regimen). Grafts were removed 7 days after the implantation and evaluated by using sonication and quantitative blood agar culture.

RESULTS

Contaminated groups demonstrated graft infections. Cefazolin, teicoplanin and vancomycin profoundly prevented the graft infections in MSSA- or MRSA-contaminated groups. For each antibiotic regimen, the most effective prevention was achieved by the drugs given as three days regimen. For MSSA and MRSA, the order of the effectiveness was as follows: teicoplanin>vancomycin>cefazolin.

CONCLUSION

As a prophylactic agent, teicoplanin seems to be more effective than vancomycin and cefazolin against vascular graft infections caused by MSSA and MRSA in rats.

The effect of G-CSF in an experimental MRSA graft infection in mice

Wound infection after prosthetic material implantation is a troublesome complication with an incidence of 2% to 10%. The effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was studied in an experimental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) graft infection model. Eighty adult mice were used. Under general anesthesia an abdominal incision of 2 cm in length was performed. A subcutaneous cavity of 2 x 2 cm in size was created. Polypropylene mesh pieces of 2 x 1 cm and MRSA solution of 0.1ml of 10(8) CFU/mL were used. G-CSF was applied systemically or locally in a dosage of 0.02 MU/30 g body weight. There were 8 groups: group I, wound + MRSA; group II, wound + mesh + MRSA; group III, wound + mesh + MRSA + G-CSF (ip, 48 h before operation); group IV, wound + mesh + MRSA + G-CSF (ip, 24 h before operation); group V, wound + mesh + MRSA + G-CSF (locally, into the cavity); group VI, wound + mesh (incubated in G-CSF solution for 4 h) + MRSA; group VII, wound + mesh + MRSA + G-CSF, ip, 24 h from operation; and group VIII (positive control group), wound + mesh + MRSA + Teicoplanin (0.03 mg/30 g body weight, ip, 1/2 h before operation). Three days after, animals were killed and incisions were examined for possible infection or abscess formation and wound failure. Meshes were removed; after vortexing and dilution, samples were incubated with 5% agar media. Results of bacterial incubation were evaluated 24 h and 48 h later. There were symptoms of wound infection and abscess formation in all groups except group VIII. In group VIII, MRSA was isolated in 7 events with a colony count below 10(3). Bacterial counts were above 10(6) (10(6)-10(8)) in all other groups. Thus, it was observed that wound infection could be created with this model, but G-CSF could not prevent the development of wound infection, whether it was administered systemically or locally. Teicoplanin decreased the number of colony-forming units of MRSA, and prevents wound infection in this MRSA wound infection model.

Systemic and local antibiotic prophylaxis in the prevention of Staphylococcus epidermidis graft infection

Background

The aim of the study was to investigate the in vivo efficacy of local and systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in the prevention of Staphylococcus (S.) epidermidis graft infection in a rat model and to evaluate the bacterial adherence to frequently used prosthetic graft materials.

Methods

Graft infections were established in the subcutaneous tissue of 120 male Wistar rats by implantation of Dacron/ePTFE grafts followed by topical inoculation with 2 × 10⁷ CFUs of clinical isolate of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis. Each of the graft series included a control group, one contaminated group that did not receive any antibiotic prophylaxis, two contaminated groups that received systemic prophylaxis with teicoplanin or levofloxacin and two contaminated groups that received teicoplanin-soaked or levofloxacin-soaked grafts. The grafts were removed 7 days after implantation and evaluated by quantitative culture.

Results

There was significant bacterial growth inhibition in the groups given systemic or local prophylaxis (P < 0.05). Methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis had greater affinity to Dacron graft when compared with ePTFE graft in the untreated contaminated groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that the usage of systemic or local prophylaxis and preference of ePTFE graft can be useful in reducing the risk of vascular graft infections caused by staphylococcal strains with high levels of resistance.

Comparative safety of teicoplanin and vancomycin

Teicoplanin have different safety profiles which can affect choice. Nephrotoxicity is significantly less likely to occur during treatment with teicoplanin than vancomycin when an aminoglycoside is being given concurrently. 'Red man' syndrome is a troublesome effect of vancomycin infusion which is extremely uncommon with teicoplanin use. Rash and fever can be dose-related phenomena but patients reacting to one glycopeptide may not react to both. Although thrombocytopenia is more frequent with teicoplanin, it is reversible and seldom seen at standard doses.

Teicoplanin or vancomycin in the treatment of gram-positive infections?

The glycopeptide antibiotics vancomycin and teicoplanin have similar mechanisms of action on bacterial cell wall synthesis. Their spectra of activity are limited to Gram-positive bacteria, with the degree of bactericidal activity depending on the species of micro-organism. Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, enterococci and Clostridium difficile are generally sensitive, including methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus and S. epidermidis. Glycopeptide resistance has recently emerged in staphylococci and enterococci. Vancomycin has a shorter half-life than teicoplanin and requires multiple dosing to maintain adequate serum levels. It can only be given by prolonged intravenous infusion over 1 h. In contrast, the pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin allow for once-daily dosing, either by rapid intravenous infusion or by the intramuscular route. The latter offers reliable absorption for patients with limited venous access and is also of benefit for out-patient therapy. Teicoplanin is a safer drug than vancomycin. It is associated with a lower incidence of nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity. Compared to vancomycin, the availability of the intramuscular route and the absence of a requirement for routine serum monitoring, together with the reduced need to treat drug-related side-effects make teicoplanin more cost-effective. It is as effective as vancomycin for most indications, is safe, easy to administer and an important agent for treating Gram-positive infections. Its role in hospitals is likely to increase if the price of drug acquisition is kept low.

Comparison of the effectiveness of various antibiotics in the treatment of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus experimental infective endocarditis

The effectiveness of various antibiotics was tested in the eradication of a strain of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) of cardiac vegetations, in an experimental model of endocarditis in rabbits. Twelve animals comprised the control group and 48 the treated ones. After inducing the experimental endocarditis, the animals were treated for three days; then mortality, blood cultures at 48 and 72 hours and the title of the colony forming units per gram of vegetation (CFU/g) were evaluated. Imipenem and the cloxacillin-gentamicin association were found to be as effective as cloxacillin in eradicating the microorganisms of the vegetation. Clindamycin in high doses was shown to be a valid alternative. Vancomycin, teicoplanin, rifampin and ciprofloxacin were less effective than cloxacillin. The experimental model seems to be an effective method for evaluating antimicrobial treatments in staphylococcal endocarditis.

Randomized study of vancomycin versus teicoplanin for the treatment of gram-positive bacterial infections in immunocompromised hosts

Seventy-four immunocompromised patients with severe infection due to gram-positive organisms were randomized to receive either vancomycin or teicoplanin. Extensive cancer was present in 71 patients, of whom 47 died within a month. The types of infections were 46 bacteremias (39 associated with central catheters), 24 skin and soft tissue infections (3 with bacteremia), and 7 others (mainly bronchopneumonia). The most frequent pathogen was Staphylococcus epidermidis, followed by Staphylococcus aureus. Microbiological eradication was obtained in 23 of 35 evaluable patients treated with vancomycin (65.7%) and 28 of 36 patients treated with teicoplanin (77.8%) (P = 0.4). Clinical cure and improvement were obtained in 26 of 35 patients (74.3%) and 27 of 36 patients (75.0%), respectively. No significant side effects were observed with teicoplanin, in contrast to reversible increases in serum creatinine (three patients) and skin rashes (four patients) with vancomycin. Superinfection was observed in five patients treated with vancomycin and two patients treated with teicoplanin. No relation was found between peak concentration in serum (at steady state) or bactericidal titers and outcome.

Efficacy of teicoplanin in two dosage regimens for experimental endocarditis caused by a beta-lactamase-producing strain of Enterococcus faecalis with high-level resistance to gentamicin

Optimal therapy for the treatment of infections caused by strains of enterococci demonstrating high-level resistance to gentamicin and other aminoglycosides has not been established. The present study examined the efficacy of teicoplanin, a glycopeptide antibiotic active against gram-positive bacterial infections in various animal models, in the treatment of experimental endocarditis due to a beta-lactamase-producing strain of Enterococcus faecalis with high-level resistance to gentamicin. Vancomycin was used as a comparative antibiotic. In the first set of experiments, both antimicrobial agents were administered by continuous intravenous infusion for 5 days at dosages which yielded comparable mean levels in serum (plus or minus the standard deviation) of 14.6 +/- 4.3 micrograms/ml for teicoplanin and 14.3 +/- 2.2 micrograms/ml for vancomycin. These regimens proved similarly effective in sterilizing cardiac vegetations (38 versus 50% of treated animals, respectively; P greater than 0.05). Mean (plus or minus the standard deviation) residual bacterial titers within vegetations were reduced to 3.2 +/- 1.2 log10 CFU/g and 3.4 +/- 1.7 log10 CFU/g, respectively. In separate experiments, the potential of teicoplanin to cure endocarditis was assessed, using two dosage regimens: (i) 30 mg/kg per day (mean level in serum, 13 micrograms/ml) for 10 days or (ii) 150 mg/kg per day (mean level in serum, 84 micrograms/ml) for 5 days. Surviving animals were sacrificed 10 days after the discontinuation of therapy. Both teicoplanin regimens were more effective than the comparative vancomycin (150 mg/kg per day) regimen: 92 versus 43% cured (P =0.025) in the standard-dose group, and 82 versus 37% cured (P = 0.015) in the high-dose group. Results in this rat model of enterococcal endocarditis show that teicoplanin may prove useful in the treatment of serious infections due to high level-gentamicin-resistant enterococci in humans.

Bioassay of teicoplanin in serum containing rifampin or a beta-lactam antibiotic

The purpose of this study was to develop bioassays for the measurement of teicoplanin in serum containing rifampin or a beta-lactam antibiotic. Use of rifampin-resistant Bacillus subtilis as indicator organism or pretreatment of the serum sample with Bacillus cereus penicillinase Type I (nafcillin, ticarcillin, mezlocillin) or Type II (cefazolin, cefuroxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone) effectively eliminated assay interference. Validation bioassays performed on two separate days utilizing triplicate coded serum samples containing 0 to 200 micrograms teicoplanin in combination with 40 micrograms/ml rifampin or 200 to 500 micrograms/ml beta-lactam showed no significant differences (p greater than 0.05, two-way analysis of variance) in analyte recovery between assay days. Regression analysis of each teicoplanin/rifampin or teicoplanin/beta-lactam data set yielded slope values of 0.92 to 1.01, intercept values of -0.45 to 0.84 and correlation coefficients of 0.9925 to 0.9990. Thus, serum teicoplanin can be quantitated accurately, precisely, and reproducibly in patients receiving concomitant rifampin or beta-lactam chemotherapy.

Teicoplanin in the treatment of gram-positive-bacterial endocarditis

Intravenous teicoplanin has been used to treat 23 cases of gram-positive-bacterial endocarditis, usually with 3 to 7 mg/kg every 12 h on the first day, followed by 3 to 7 mg/kg every 24 h. For some cases (staphylococcal and enterococcal endocarditis), the dosage was 8 to 14.4 mg/kg per day and/or other antibiotics were given. The mean duration was 48.2 days (range, 23 to 130 days). Of 23 patients, 21 (91.3%) had negative cultures or were cured. A total of 18 patients were treated with teicoplanin alone; of these, 4 had surgery, and all (except 2 who relapsed) were cured. Teicoplanin was combined with one or more antibiotics in five cases; in all cases appropriate cultures were negative, but three patients died during therapy or follow-up. Mild renal impairment was seen in two patients; both were receiving teicoplanin in combination with an aminoglycoside. We conclude that intravenous teicoplanin administered once a day at doses of 7 to 14 mg/kg per day is well tolerated, easy to administer, and may represent an efficacious therapy for gram-positive-bacterial endocarditis.

Evaluation of teicoplanin for treatment of endocarditis caused by gram-positive cocci in 20 patients

Teicoplanin, a new glycopeptide antibiotic similar to vancomycin, was evaluated for the treatment of bacterial endocarditis in an open multicenter study from May 1985 to August 1987. A total of 20 patients with positive blood culture endocarditis received teicoplanin once daily as a mean intravenous injection of 7.3 mg/kg of body weight (range, 4.8 to 10.6 mg/kg); in 17 patients, teicoplanin was combined with another antibiotic, usually an aminoglycoside. The mean duration of therapy was 28 days (range, 7 to 66 days). The diagnosis of endocarditis was confirmed by echocardiography or anatomical findings in 15 patients and established on the basis of clinical manifestations plus positive blood cultures in 5 patients. The tricuspid valve was involved in 11 of the 20 patients. Isolates from blood were 12 Staphylococcus aureus, 1 Staphylococcus hominis, 1 Micrococcus sedentarius, 1 Enterococcus faecalis, 3 Streptococcus bovis, and 2 nongroupable Streptococcus sp. At the end of therapy, bacterial eradication was achieved in 17 of 20 patients (85%), and a favorable clinical outcome had occurred in 14 of 17 evaluable patients (82%). Of these 14 patients, one relapsed 4 months after the end of treatment. Thus, teicoplanin was effective in 13 of 17 patients (76%). Mean peak levels of teicoplanin in serum were lower, 23.1 +/- 2.9 micrograms/ml, in patients who failed than in those who were cured (45.8 +/- 8.4 micrograms/ml). Side effects occurred in 7 of 20 patients (35%), and required premature discontinuation of teicoplanin in 3 patients. These side effects were fever in three patients, rash in three patients, hearing loss in two patients, and increased serum transaminase levels in two patients. This study demonstrates the efficacy of teicoplanin in the treatment of endocarditis and the need for achieving peak levels in serum close to 40 micrograms/ml. Teicoplanin should now be further evaluated in endocarditis caused by gram-positive cocci means of controlled comparative study with standard therapy.

Leukopenia with neutropenia associated with teicoplanin therapy

The first case report of leukopenia with neutropenia due to the new glycopeptide antibiotic teicoplanin is described. The side effect occurred in a 73-year-old man hospitalized because of subacute bacterial endocarditis caused by Streptococcus faecalis. Leukopenia with neutropenia (white blood cells 2000/mm3, neutrophils 46%) developed after 20 days of teicoplanin therapy. After stopping teicoplanin white blood cell and neutrophil counts reverted to normal, but dropped again on rechallenge. A review of 1500 records of patients treated with teicoplanin alone or in combination with other drugs was also performed. Five cases were found in which leukopenia was possibly (four cases) or probably (one case) related to teicoplanin therapy. From these preliminary data the incidence of leukopenia related to teicoplanin seems to be low.

Therapeutic update on glycopeptide and lipopeptide antibiotics

Glycopeptide antibiotics in the form of vancomycin have been available for almost 30 years. In the past, vancomycin usually was reserved as an alternative agent to treat staphylococcal and streptococcal infection in patients with a penicillin allergy or hemodialysis shunt infection. With the increasing frequency of both methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, now it is often used as a first-line agent. Over a 10-year period, vancomycin sales have increased by almost $1 hundred million. Several new glycopeptide and lipopeptide antibiotics are in various stages of evaluation. While vancomycin resistance to date is a rare phenomenon, these drugs represent a potentially more potent and safer antibiotic alternative to vancomycin. Teicoplanin and daptomycin are two of these investigational agents.

Teicoplanin: a new glycopeptide antibiotic complex

The chemistry, microbiology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and adverse effect profile of teicoplanin are reviewed and, where appropriate, compared with vancomycin. Teicoplanin is a glycopeptide antibiotic with potent bactericidal activity against a wide variety of aerobic and anaerobic gram-positive bacteria. In contrast to the structurally related vancomycin, teicoplanin has a prolonged elimination half-life of approximately 60 hours and it may be safely administered by the intramuscular route. Adverse effects of teicoplanin include ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, skin rash, eosinophilia, neutropenia, and transient elevation of serum aminotransferases. Teicoplanin may be beneficial as an alternative to vancomycin for patients with poor vascular access and in those requiring long-term outpatient therapy. The role of teicoplanin in the treatment and prophylaxis of gram-positive infections will ultimately depend on its unfolding safety and efficacy profile.