title: Relationship of serum antibiotic concentrations to nephrotoxicity in cancer patients receiving concurrent aminoglycoside and vancomycin therapy.
abstract: Methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci have become increasingly responsible for febrile episodes in cancer patients, often necessitating the addition of vancomycin to an aminoglycoside-containing broad-spectrum antibiotic regimen. A total of 229 courses of antibiotic therapy in 229 patients were evaluated for nephrotoxicity associated with the administration of an aminoglycoside and/or vancomycin. The incidence of nephrotoxicity observed in patients administered an aminoglycoside (Group A) was 18 percent; vancomycin (Group B) 15 percent; and an aminoglycoside concurrently with vancomycin (Group C) 15 percent. The following pharmacokinetic/dosing factors were significantly associated with increased nephrotoxicity in the groups: baseline serum creatinine level, mean daily dose during the first three days of therapy (Group B), and elevated serum trough aminoglycoside or vancomycin concentrations (2 micrograms/ml or more or 10 micrograms/ml or more, respectively). No cumulative nephrotoxicity was demonstrated with the concurrent administration of vancomycin and an aminoglycoside. A higher incidence of nephrotoxicity was seen in Group C (42 percent) and Group B (27 percent) patients, in whom trough serum vancomycin concentrations were 10 micrograms/ml or more.
mesh_terms: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014640:Vancomycin