Implications of Intravenous and Inhaled Amikacin Breakpoint Reporting for Mycobacterium avium Complex Pulmonary

Christian M Gill1,2,3,4, Robin Chamberland5,6, Getahun Abate3

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, Saint Louis, MO 63104, USA.

PubMed

Insights

Inhaled amikacin demonstrates higher susceptibility rates for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) pulmonary disease compared to intravenous amikacin. This finding is crucial for optimizing MAC treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • Treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) pulmonary disease is challenging due to multidrug regimens and potential toxicity.
  • Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) provides breakpoints for MAC treatment agents, including distinct criteria for intravenous (IV) and inhaled amikacin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate amikacin susceptibility in MAC pulmonary isolates using both IV and inhaled therapy breakpoints.
  • To determine the proportion of amikacin-non-susceptible isolates (by IV breakpoints) that remain susceptible to inhaled amikacin.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of MAC pulmonary isolates.
  • Susceptibility testing for amikacin (IV and inhaled), clarithromycin, moxifloxacin, and linezolid according to CLSI guidelines.
  • One isolate per patient per year was analyzed.

Main Results:

  • 99.5% of isolates were susceptible to inhaled amikacin compared to 94% for IV amikacin.
  • 93% of isolates non-susceptible to IV amikacin remained susceptible to inhaled amikacin.
  • Susceptibility rates for other agents: clarithromycin (97%), moxifloxacin (82%), and linezolid (66%).

Conclusions:

  • Inhaled amikacin exhibits higher susceptibility rates in MAC pulmonary isolates than IV amikacin.
  • Laboratories should report both IV and inhaled amikacin susceptibility criteria to guide treatment decisions.
  • This distinction is vital to prevent overlooking potential therapeutic amikacin options for MAC pulmonary disease.