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[Bronchial diffusion of piperacillin in 18 intensive care patients]
Abstract:
Eighteen patients (13 under mechanical ventilation) in an intensive care unit received piperacillin for pneumonia (7 cases) or bronchial infection (11 cases), related to Haemophilus influenzae (7), Streptococcus pneumoniae (4) or miscellaneous pathogens (7) including Staphylococcus, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis. Each patient was given 2g piperacillin intravenously every six hours. Concentrations in serum and bronchial secretion samples were assayed by the agar diffusion technique using a susceptible strain of Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633. Maximum concentrations were 157 micrograms/ml in serum and 3.60 micrograms/ml in bronchial secretions. These results are similar to those obtained with the same dosage by 0. Cars in serum (150 micrograms/ml) and by G.E. Marlin in the bronchial secretions (3.78 micrograms/ml). They approximate those published for other penicillins with the same dosage.
Insights
This study measured piperacillin concentrations in intensive care unit patients with respiratory infections. Results show effective drug levels in serum and bronchial secretions, supporting its use for pneumonia and bronchial infections.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Piperacillin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.
- Intensive care unit (ICU) patients often develop severe respiratory infections.
- Understanding drug penetration into respiratory tissues is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine piperacillin concentrations in serum and bronchial secretions.
- To evaluate the efficacy of piperacillin in treating pneumonia and bronchial infections in ICU patients.
- To compare achieved concentrations with established therapeutic ranges.
Main Methods:
- Eighteen ICU patients received 2g piperacillin intravenously every six hours.
- Serum and bronchial secretion samples were collected.
- Piperacillin concentrations were measured using the agar diffusion technique with Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633.
Main Results:
- Maximum serum concentration reached 157 micrograms/ml.
- Maximum bronchial secretion concentration reached 3.60 micrograms/ml.
- These levels are comparable to previous studies and other penicillins at the same dosage.
Conclusions:
- Piperacillin achieves therapeutic concentrations in both serum and bronchial secretions.
- The findings support the use of piperacillin for treating respiratory tract infections in ICU patients.
- Further research may explore optimal dosing strategies for specific pathogens.