Optimization of antimicrobial dosing in patients with acute kidney injury: a single-centre observational study

Stephen Hughes1, Katie L Heard1, Nabeela Mughal1

  • 1Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, 369 Fulham Road, London SW10 9NH, UK.

Abstract

Insights

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in Gram-negative bacteraemia. Unadjusted antimicrobial dosing for the initial 48 hours of AKI may be safe and effective, supporting current recommendations.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

  • Acute kidney injury (AKI) frequently complicates systemic infections like Gram-negative bacteraemia.
  • Optimizing antimicrobial drug dosing during AKI is critical to prevent treatment failure or toxicity.
  • Current guidelines often recommend unadjusted renal dosing for the initial 48 hours of infection-induced AKI.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with Gram-negative bacteraemia and concurrent AKI who received unadjusted antimicrobial dosing for the first 48 hours.
  • To assess the impact of this dosing strategy on mortality and kidney function recovery.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with Gram-negative bacteraemia and non-filtration dependent AKI.
  • Data collected included demographics, microbiology, antimicrobial treatments, in-hospital mortality, and kidney function.
  • Analysis focused on outcomes related to the initial 48-hour dosing strategy.

Main Results:

  • AKI was present in 36.3% of Gram-negative bacteraemia episodes.
  • In-hospital mortality varied by AKI severity, with higher rates in patients with more severe AKI or chronic kidney disease.
  • Renal function recovery was observed in most surviving patients with AKI stage ≥2.
  • Time to AKI recovery was similar across different aminoglycoside and beta-lactam dosing strategies.

Conclusions:

  • A significant burden of AKI exists in patients with Gram-negative bacteraemia.
  • Dose adjustments for beta-lactams may not be required in the initial 48 hours of infection-induced AKI.
  • Single-dose aminoglycosides can be considered for early empirical therapy in this patient population.

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