Abstract
The objective of the study was to evaluate the ability of meropenem to reach the bronchial lumen. 24 patients undergoing fibreoptic bronchoscopy for exploratory purposes were given a single dose of meropenem 1 g as an (i.v.), infusion over 30 min. Plasma (P) sampling times were: 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 h. Bronchial secretions (BS) were collected by fibreoptic bronchoscopy at the same sampling times (except for 0 and 0.5 h) in three groups of 8 patients. Meropenem was measured by bioassay using E. coli ATCC 39118 as the test-organism.
The results showed that meropenem had reached a high plasma concentration at the first sampling time (59.8 mg · 1−1) and then the plasma level decreased rapidly to 10.6 mg · 1−1 and 2.7 mg · 1−1 at 2 and 3 h respectively. The highest concentration achieved in bronchial secretion was 0.53 mg · 1−1 in the third hour, ie 20% of the serum level.
The data indicate significant penetration of meropenem into bronchial secretions and achievement of a local level sufficiently high to eradicate most respiratory pathogens.
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Bergogne-Bérézin, E., Muller-Serieys, C., Aubier, M. et al. Concentration of meropenem in serum and in bronchial secretions in patients undergoing fibreoptic bronchoscopy. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 46, 87–88 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195922
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195922