Personalized antibiotic therapy – a rapid high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantitation of eight antibiotics and voriconazole for patients in the intensive care unit

Abstract

For a long time, the therapeutic drug monitoring of anti-infectives (ATDM) was recommended only to avoid the toxic side effects of overdosing. During the last decade, however, this attitude has undergone a significant change. Insufficient antibiotic therapy may promote the occurrence of drug resistance; therefore, the “one-dose-fits-all” principle can no longer be classified as up to date. Patients in intensive care units (ICU), in particular, can benefit from individualized antibiotic therapies.

Keywords

• anti-infective agents
• drug monitoring
• intensive care units
• liquid chromatography
• mass spectrometry