TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Laboratory Tests to Direct Antimicrobial Pharmacotherapy A1 - Werth, Brian J. A1 - Barber, Katie E. A1 - Smith, Jordan R. A1 - Rybak, Michael J. A2 - DiPiro, Joseph T. A2 - Yee, Gary C. A2 - Posey, L. Michael A2 - Haines, Stuart T. A2 - Nolin, Thomas D. A2 - Ellingrod, Vicki Y1 - 2020 N1 - T2 - Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, 11e AB - KEY CONCEPTS Understanding the difference between normal host microbiota and typical pathogens will help to determine whether a patient is truly infected or merely colonized. Direct examination of tissue and body fluids by Gram stain provides rapid information about the causative pathogen. Isolation of the offending organism by culture or rapid diagnostic testing assists in the diagnosis of infection and allows for more definitive directed treatment. Development of molecular testing systems (or rapid diagnostic testing) has improved our ability to diagnose infection and determine the antimicrobial susceptibilities for numerous pathogens, including fastidious or slow-growing mycobacteria and viruses.In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing has limitations and often cannot truly mimic the conditions found at the site of an infection. This can cause discordance between in vitro susceptibility results and in vivo response to therapy. Laboratory evaluation of antimicrobial activity is an important component of the pharmacotherapeutic management of infectious diseases. When used appropriately, rapid automated susceptibility test systems appear to improve therapeutic outcomes of patients with infection, especially when they are linked with other clinical information systems. Understanding the fundamentals of antimicrobial pharmacodynamic properties will help the clinician to make drug selection and dosing decisions in situations where robust clinical data are lacking. Routine monitoring of serum concentrations is currently used for a select few antimicrobials, eg, aminoglycosides and vancomycin, in an attempt to minimize toxicity and maximize efficacy. Appropriate timing for the collection of serum samples when measuring antimicrobial serum concentrations is crucial to ensure that valid pharmacokinetic data are generated. Monitoring of aminoglycoside serum concentrations and the use of extended-interval doses can help to maximize the probability of therapeutic success and minimize the probability of aminoglycoside-related toxicity for certain infections. Vancomycin and aminoglycoside serum concentration monitoring should be routinely done to ensure adequate serum concentrations, minimize toxicity, and avoid the potential for resistance. Antimicrobial pharmacodynamics has become a crucial consideration for the selection of both empirical and pathogen-directed therapy in the current era of antimicrobial resistance. Optimization of antimicrobial pharmacodynamic parameters such as the ratio of the peak serum concentration to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) or the time that the antibiotic serum concentration remains above the MIC or the ratio of the area under the concentration-time curve to the MIC can improve infection treatment outcomes. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/29 UR - accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1182464423 ER -