title: A routine method for the quantification of the novel antimycotic drug posaconazole in plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Posaconazole is now widely used for prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. The pharmacokinetic properties of the drug argue for therapeutic monitoring, but so far described analytical methods have shortcomings with respect to application in a routine setting. The aim of our work was to develop an analytical method suitable for routine use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used. For sample preparation, protein precipitation followed by on-line solid phase extraction was used. SCH 56984, a posaconazole related compound provided by the manufacturer of posaconazole, was used as internal standard.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The method was characterized by short hands-on time and an analytical run time of four minutes. Validation data demonstrated acceptable analytical performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LC-MS/MS with on-line solid phase extraction for sample preparation allows the implementation of a convenient and reliable method for pharmacokinetic monitoring of posaconazole.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Internal Medicine III, Hospital of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany. Michael.Vogeser@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vogeser
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rieger
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ostermann
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Spöhrer
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000097:blood*; D002138:Calibration; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014230:Triazoles / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D014230:Triazoles; C101425:posaconazole