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Updated: Mar 23, 2026
11:17
Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
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A general analytic approach to predicting the best antibiotic dosing regimen
Leah Childers1, Pia Abel Zur Wiesch2, Jessica M Conway1
1Department of Mathematics, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
Journal of Biological Dynamics
|March 21, 2026
Summary
Mathematical models reveal that the dose-response curve
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Microbiology
- Mathematical Biology
Background:
- Optimal antibiotic dosing strategies remain unclear.
- Clinical practice varies between continuous low doses and high repeated pulses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze bacterial population dynamics under different antibiotic dosing strategies.
- To determine the key factors influencing optimal antibiotic regimen selection.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mathematical modeling to simulate bacterial growth.
- Analyzed two dosing strategies: constant concentration and repeated dosing.
- Assessed fixed pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.
Main Results:
- The shape (concavity) of the dose-response curve is critical in determining the optimal strategy.
- Multiple concavities introduce additional factors like tolerable dosing range.
- Challenged the 'hit hard and hit early' principle.
Conclusions:
- Rational antibiotic prescription depends on dose-response curve characteristics.
- Findings support tailored dosing to minimize antibiotic use and combat resistance.
- Mathematical modeling offers insights into optimizing antimicrobial therapy.
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