Voriconazole in an infant with cryptococcal meningitis

Cryptococcus neoformans （C. neoformans） is the most common cause of fungal meningitis worldwide.1 Cryptococcal meningitis is an opportunistic infection commonly found in immunocompromised hosts, especially HIV-infected adults. It also occurs in apparently immunocompetent individuals. Rarely has it been reported in children, and it is almost nonexistent in infants. Voriconazole is a member of a second generation of antifungal triazoles with broad spectrum antifungal activity, oral and parenteral bioavailability and a favorable safety profile in adults.3 This patient shows improved in vitro activity against C. neoformans when compared to fluconazole and it has been used successfully in about half the patients with refractory cryptococcosis.4 However, the efficacy and safety of voriconazole as a antifungal agent in children with cryptococcal meningitis have not been well assessed, This report described cryptococcal meningitis in a 13-day-old premature neonate who recovered without overt toxicity after voriconazole was added to an antifungal regimen that included amphotericin B and flucytosine. We focused on the response of this child with cryptococcal meningitis to voriconazole.     

Therapeutic drug monitoring and safety of intravenous voriconazole formulated with sulfobutylether β‐cyclodextrin in haematological patients with renal impairment

Because of concerns about accumulation of cyclodextrin, oral voriconazole is recommended for patients with renal impairment. However, intravenous voriconazole may occasionally be imperative in critically ill patients with life‐threatening invasive aspergillosis. We investigated the clinical effects of intravenous voriconazole formulated with sulfobutylether β‐cyclodextrin (SBECD) in patients with renal impairment. A prospective observational study was conducted on 25 adult patients with haematological malignancies who were treated with intravenous voriconazole for invasive aspergillosis. Among them, seven patients had a baseline creatinine clearance (CrCl) <50 ml min^?1 (case). Although voriconazole trough concentrations were significantly higher in cases (5.84 mg l^?1) than controls (2.28 mg l^?1), the proportion of concentrations within the target range did not differ between two groups (4/7 and 12/18, respectively; P = 0.658). The frequency of severe adverse events in cases (3/7) was comparable to that of controls (4/18; P = 0.355). No patients showed significant deterioration in renal function after the voriconazole therapy even in patients with renal impairment. Although CrCl <50 ml min^?1 was associated with higher voriconazole concentrations, its clinical impact remains unclear. SBECD‐formulated intravenous voriconazole did not lead to a higher incidence of severe adverse events including nephrotoxicity in haematological patients with CrCl <50 ml min^?1.     

Pharmacokinetic interactions of efavirenz and voriconazole in healthy volunteers

AIMS

Co-administration of standard-dose voriconazole and efavirenz results in a substantial decrease in voriconazole levels, while concurrently increasing efavirenz levels. Hence, concomitant use of standard doses of these drugs was initially contraindicated. This study assessed different dose combinations of efavirenz and voriconazole, with the goal of attaining a dose combination that provides systemic exposures similar to standard-dose monotherapy with each drug.

METHODS

This was an open-label, four-treatment, multiple-dose, fixed-sequence study in 16 healthy males. Steady-state pharmacokinetics were assessed following two test treatments (voriconazole 300 mg q12 h + efavirenz 300 mg q24 h and voriconazole 400 mg q12 h + efavirenz 300 mg q24 h) and compared with standard-dose monotherapy (voriconazole 200 mg q12 h or efavirenz 600 mg q24 h).

RESULTS

Dose adjustment to voriconazole 300 mg q12 h with efavirenz 300 mg q24 h decreased voriconazole area under the concentration–time curve (AUC_τ) and maximum concentration (C_max), with changes of −55% [90% confidence interval (CI) −62, −45] and −36% (90% CI −49, −21), respectively, when compared with monotherapy. Voriconazole 400 mg q12 h plus efavirenz 300 mg q24 h decreased voriconazole AUC_τ (−7%; 90% CI −23, 13) and increased C_max (23%; 90% CI −1, 53), while increasing efavirenz AUC_τ (17%; 90% CI 6, 29) and not changing C_max when compared with the respective monotherapy regimens. No serious adverse events were observed with voriconazole plus efavirenz.

CONCLUSIONS

When co-administered, voriconazole dose should be increased to 400 mg q12 h and efavirenz dose decreased to 300 mg q24 h in order to provide systemic exposures similar to standard-dose monotherapy.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Efavirenz 400 mg q24 h reduces exposure to voriconazole 200 mg q12 h when the two drugs are co-administered.
• Furthermore, voriconazole increases the systemic exposure of efavirenz.
• Co-administration was therefore initially contraindicated.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• The doses of efavirenz and voriconazole can be adjusted to provide adequate exposure to both drugs when the two are co-administered, without compromising safety.
• Appropriate adjustment of doses for both drugs may thus represent an alternative to a mere contraindication.

     

UPLC-MS/MS法同时测定人血浆中泊沙康唑、氟康唑、伏立康唑的血药浓度

目的:建立UPLC-MS/MS法同时测定血浆中3个三唑类抗真菌药物（泊沙康唑、氟康唑、伏立康唑）的浓度。方法:采用WatersBEHC18（2.1 mm×50 mm,1.7 μm）色谱柱,流速0.5 mL/min,流动相为甲醇（含2 mmol/L乙酸铵和0.1%甲酸）和2 mmol/L乙酸铵水溶液（含0.1%甲酸）,梯度洗脱,柱温40°C。质谱条件采用电喷雾离子源,正离子多反应监测模式进行扫描分析。结果:泊沙康唑、氟康唑、伏立康唑的专属性良好,线性范围分别为0.083~20.680、0.328~82.075、0.080~20.085 μg/mL,范围内线性关系良好,r均大于0.99。批内、批间精密度（RSD）均小于7.60%,提取回收率和基质效应RSD值均小于14.2%,不同储存条件下稳定性良好,RSD值均小于10.69%。结论:该方法准确度高,重复性好,简便快捷,可同时测定3种血浆中三唑类抗真菌药的浓度,适用于临床对氟康唑、泊沙康唑及伏立康唑的治疗药物监测。     

Prophylactic administration of voriconazole with two different doses for invasive fungal infection in children and adolescents with acute myeloid leukemia

Background

Pediatric patients under treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are at high risk for invasive fungal infection (IFI). We evaluated the efficacy of prophylactic administration of voriconazole (VRCZ) with two different doses.

体重与伏立康唑稳态血药谷浓度的相关性分析

目的分析临床患者体重与伏立康唑稳态血药谷浓度的相关性。方法采用HPLC 法对57 例使用伏立康唑静脉滴注治疗的患者进行稳态血药谷浓度测定, 分析其与体重的相关性。结果在使用200 mg、q12 h 维持剂量的伏立康唑时,随体重增加,伏立康唑稳态血药谷浓度呈降低趋势;70 －80 kg 体重患者中采用300 mg、q12 h 的维持剂量患者的稳态谷浓度明显高于采用200 mg、q12 h 维持剂量的患者（P 〈0. 01）。结论体重与伏立康唑稳态血药谷浓度有一定相关性。     

Antifungal prophylaxis in solid organ transplant recipients

Solid organ transplantation is life saving for thousands of patients worldwide with end-stage organ failure, but post-transplantation invasive fungal infections (IFIs) remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. To improve patient outcomes, investigators have explored various strategies of prevention, including the use of antifungal prophylaxis with both systemic and topical nonabsorbable agents. Often, the strategy is to identify those patients at highest risk for IFIs who would be expected to derive the most benefit from antifungal prophylaxis. Currently, data support the use of antifungal prophylaxis in liver, lung, small bowel and pancreas transplant recipients. By understanding the epidemiology of post-transplant IFIs and antifungal adverse effects, clinicians may target antifungal prophylaxis more optimally. Herein, we review antifungal prophylaxis with systemic agents among solid organ transplant recipients.     

Fungal endophthalmitis

Fungal endophthalmitis (FE) is infrequent but results in poor visual outcomes. It can be exogenous or endogenous depending upon the mode of infection. The common causes for endogenous FE, post-traumatic FE and FE secondary to keratitis are Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium solani, respectively. Clinical features depend on the virulence of the organism and the mode of infection. Broad-spectrum systemic antifungal therapy with or without intravitreal antifungal drugs is recommended. The prognosis depends upon the virulence of the organism, extent of intraocular involvement and the timing of interventions. Prompt therapy following early diagnosis helps to reduce significant visual loss. This review evaluates the current literature on FE and focuses on antifungal agents and discusses species-specific management and outcomes of FE.     

Voriconazole-associated phototoxic dermatoses and skin cancer

Voriconazole’s antifungal spectrum, oral bioavailability, and proven efficacy in treatment of invasive mycoses have led to its widespread off-label use for antifungal prophylaxis. There is an increasing recognition that long-term voriconazole use is associated with accelerated sun-induced skin changes that include acute phototoxicity reactions, photoaging, actinic keratosis and esp. among immunocompromised patients, skin cancers. The mechanisms underlying these dermatologic adverse events are not clearly understood. Population-risks of long-term voriconazole use need to be prospectively investigated. This review aims to provide an in-depth assessment of published literature and highlight salient findings from retrospective studies and case series. A broad practical guideline for assessment and management of these patients is provided.     

高效液相色谱-串联质谱法测定人腹腔积液中伏立康唑浓度及临床应用

目的: 建立高效液相色谱-串联质谱(HPLC-MS/MS)法测定人腹腔积液中伏立康唑浓度,并应用于临床样本检测。方法: 腹腔积液样品经纯乙腈沉淀蛋白后,通过Hypersil GOLD C₁₈色谱柱分离;流动相为0.1%甲酸水-纯乙腈(60∶40,V/V);流速0.4 mL·min^-1;柱温30 ℃。质谱采用电喷雾电离、正离子多反应监测模式扫描定量:m/z 350.0→281.0(伏立康唑)和m/z 353.1→284.1(伏立康唑-d3,内标)。结果: 腹腔积液样品中伏立康唑浓度在0.05~10.00 μg·mL^-1范围内线性良好(R²=0.999 9)。日内和日间精密度均小于2%,提取回收率为(100.35±4.37)% ~(107.68±3.97)%,内标归一化基质效应因子为(98.36±1.69)%~(100.57±1.10)%且RSD小于2%。此外,各项稳定性考察结果均合格。利用该方法测得4例重度肝硬化患者静脉用伏立康唑首剂给药(约滴注1 h)的腹腔积液0~12 h的浓度-时间曲线下面积(AUC_0-12)和血浆AUC_0-12的比值平均为0.54(范围0.49~0.61),提示肝硬化患者中伏立康唑具有较好的腹膜腔渗透性。结论: 该方法简单、快速、灵敏、准确,适用于人腹腔积液中伏立康唑的检测和临床药动学研究。