An evaluation of amikacin nephrotoxicity in the hematology/oncology population

Aminoglycosides' dosage in hematological malignancies and febrile neutropenia: extended interval or conventional dosage?

A patient with acute myeloid leukemia presented various episodes of febrile neutropenia, for which there was no positive response to antibiotic treatments. Following an episode of bacteremia by extensively drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, amikacin was prescribed, pharmacokinetic analyses of its plasma concentrations were performed and the dosage interval was narrowed to 12 and 8 h in order to counteract the reduced postantibiotic effect due to the patient being immunocompromised. The patient responded positively, with procalcitonin decreasing and body temperature normalizing. Recovery was finally achieved, without renal or auditory damage. This case proposes tightening dosage intervals for aminoglycosides as an effective strategy in immunocompromised patients. Aminoglycosides are given over extended intervals (24 h), considering concentration-dependent effectiveness, nephrotoxicity and postantibiotic effect. Leukocytes appear to play a determining role in the postantibiotic effect, with no proposed dosing strategy for strongly immunocompromised patients.

Diagnosis, evaluation, and management of acute kidney injury: a KDIGO summary (Part 1)

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious problem affecting millions and causing death and disability for many. In 2012, Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes completed the first ever, international, multidisciplinary, clinical practice guideline for AKI. The guideline is based on evidence review and appraisal, and covers AKI definition, risk assessment, evaluation, prevention, and treatment. In this review we summarize key aspects of the guideline including definition and staging of AKI, as well as evaluation and nondialytic management. Contrast-induced AKI and management of renal replacement therapy will be addressed in a separate review. Treatment recommendations are based on systematic reviews of relevant trials. Appraisal of the quality of the evidence and the strength of recommendations followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Limitations of the evidence are discussed and a detailed rationale for each recommendation is provided.

Acute kidney injury in non-critically ill children treated with aminoglycoside antibiotics in a tertiary healthcare centre: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Aminoglycosides (AG) cause acute kidney injury (AKI), but the incidence and severity distribution are unclear, particularly in non-critically ill children. We determined the incidence, severity and risk factors of AG-associated AKI and assessed for associations with longer hospitalization and higher costs.

METHODS

At Texas Children's Hospital, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of children treated with AG for ≥ 5 days in 2005, excluding children with admission primary renal diagnoses. AKI was defined by the paediatric Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End Stage Kidney Disease (pRIFLE) and Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) definitions. Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were used to assess independence of associations with outcomes.

RESULTS

Five hundred and fifty-seven children [mean ± SD age = 8.0 ± 5.9 years, 286 (51%) male, 489 (88%) gentamicin] were studied. The AKI rate was 33% and 20% by pRIFLE and AKIN definitions, respectively. Longer treatment, higher baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate, being on a medicine (versus surgical) treatment service and prior AG treatment were independent risk factors for AKI development. AKI by pRIFLE or AKIN was independently associated with longer hospital stay and higher total hospital costs. The pRIFLE definition was more sensitive for AKI detection, but the AKIN definition was more strongly related to outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

AKI is common and associated with poorer outcomes in non-critically ill children treated with AG. Future research should attempt to understand how to best define AKI in the non-critical illness paediatric setting.