Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2025
15:05
Functional Evaluation of Biological Neurotoxins in Networked Cultures of Stem Cell-derived Central Nervous System Neurons
Published on: February 5, 2015
9.4K
Characterizing Ertapenem Neurotoxicity: A Systematic Review and Experience at a Tertiary Medical Center
Hayato Mitaka1, Shinya Hasegawa2, Kristine F Lan1
1Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Open Forum Infectious Diseases
|May 8, 2024
Summary
Ertapenem antibiotic can cause neurotoxicity, particularly seizures and delirium, in older patients with kidney issues. Suspect this side effect when neurological symptoms appear shortly after starting ertapenem.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Ertapenem-induced neurotoxicity is not well understood and may be underreported.
- Risk factors include renal dysfunction and pre-existing central nervous system (CNS) conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize ertapenem-induced neurotoxicity.
- To determine the incidence and clinical features of neurotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review combined with 11 additional patient cases.
- Analysis of 125 individual patient cases.
Main Results:
- The average patient age was 72 years; 62% had renal dysfunction and 42% had pre-existing CNS conditions.
- Neurological symptoms emerged a median of 4 days after ertapenem initiation.
- Common symptoms included seizures (70%), altered consciousness/delirium (27%), and hallucinations (17%).
- Estimated incidence in the health system was 1 in 102 ertapenem courses.
Conclusions:
- Ertapenem neurotoxicity should be suspected in patients with renal dysfunction or CNS conditions who develop neurological symptoms after starting the antibiotic.
- Further prospective studies are needed to establish the true incidence and outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
176
Ezocgabine or retigabine, an antiepileptic drug of remarkable efficacy, has revolutionized the management of seizures. It is a potassium channel activator, explicitly targeting the family of Q subtype potassium channels. It enhances the transmembrane potassium currents, regulating neuronal excitability. This action stabilizes the resting membrane potential, a pivotal factor in mitigating the hyperexcitability that characterizes epilepsy.
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
176
01:12Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
414
While local anesthetics are generally safe and well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause adverse effects that vary in severity. Local anesthetics can induce toxicity at two distinct levels. They can either produce local effects through direct contact with the neural elements or be absorbed into the bloodstream from the injection site, leading to systemic effects.
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
414
01:30Electroconvulsive Therapy
36
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early...
36
01:26Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment
850
Anticholinesterases, also known as cholinesterase inhibitors, work by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, leading to its accumulation in the synaptic cleft. This accumulation indirectly enhances both muscarinic and nicotinic actions. These agents are classified as reversible or irreversible based on their mechanism of action.
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is...
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is...
850
01:20Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
287
Antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and brivaracetam (Briviact), have emerged as crucial tools in managing epilepsy. These medications exert their therapeutic effects by targeting the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the brain.
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
287
01:26Toxic Reactions: Overview
969
When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
969