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Levofloxacin pharmacokinetics in saliva as measured by a mobile microvolume UV spectrophotometer among people treated for rifampicin-resistant TB in Tanzania

S. Mohamed, H. Mvungi, M. Sariko, P. Rao, P. Mbelele, E. M. Jongedijk, C. V. van Winkel, D. Touw et al.

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2021

45 participants · 24 citations

Abstract

Abstract Background Early detection and correction of low fluoroquinolone exposure may improve treatment of MDR-TB. Objectives To explore a recently developed portable, battery-powered, UV spectrophotometer for measuring levofloxacin in saliva of people treated for MDR-TB. Methods Patients treated with levofloxacin as part of a regimen for MDR-TB in Northern Tanzania had serum and saliva collected concurrently at 1 and 4 h after 2 weeks of observed levofloxacin administration. Saliva levofloxacin concentrations were quantified in the field via spectrophotometry, while serum was analysed at a regional laboratory using HPLC. A Bayesian population pharmacokinetics model was used to estimate the area under the concentration–time curve (AUC0–24). Subtarget exposures of levofloxacin were defined by serum AUC0–24 <80 mg·h/L. The study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov with clinical trial identifier NCT04124055. Results Among 45 patients, 11 (25.6%) were women and 16 (37.2%) were living with HIV. Median AUC0–24 in serum was 140 (IQR = 102.4–179.09) mg·h/L and median AUC0–24 in saliva was 97.10 (IQR = 74.80–121.10) mg·h/L. A positive linear correlation was observed with serum and saliva AUC0–24, and a receiver operating characteristic curve constructed to detect serum AUC0–24 below 80 mg·h/L demonstrated excellent prediction [AUC 0.80 (95% CI = 0.62–0.94)]. Utilizing a saliva AUC0–24 cut-off of 91.6 mg·h/L, the assay was 88.9% sensitive and 69.4% specific in detecting subtarget…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 45 participants or records.

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