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NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (Clinical; Level 1): Antibiotic optimisation for severely ill patients (2013–2016)

Abstract:
Inadequate antibiotic therapy is a critical determinant of survival in patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with overwhelming infection. Early administration of efficacious antibiotic therapy improves survival substantially. In my previous studies I have highlighted the differences in pharmacokinetics (PK) between ICU patients and non-ICU patients. These PK differences lead to a unique spectrum of plasma concentration time profiles encountered in ICU patients which arises from a very wide range of pathologies and organ function. This unique PK will in part be responsible for the poorer outcomes for ICU patients. A thorough understanding of the altered PK in ICU patients can enable the development of patient-specific dosing approaches that may substantially improve patient outcomes. Aims: 1: Developing a mechanistic understanding of the interrelationship critical illness-related physiological changes on antibiotic PK variability. These projects will produce data, which quantify the effect of altered organ function on the PK of antibiotics in ICU patients. 2: Describing extent of PK variability in different ICU patient populations and providing robust dosing solutions. These projects will produce evidence-based dosing algorithms in various ICU patient groups that will enable more effective antibiotic therapy. 3: Testing methods for antibiotic dose optimization in critically ill patients. These projects will produce robust data defining the role of altered approaches to administering beta-lactams (continuous infusion), as well as the role of therapeutic drug monitoring. 4: Development of new antibiotics. This aim will identify lead compounds for treatment of resistant Gram positive bacterial infections for evaluation in pre-clinical studies. I believe that these studies are of global scientific and clinical importance and have a very high likelihood to substantially improve antibiotic therapy in ICU patients and save lives.
Grant type:
NHMRC Career Development Award
Researchers:

  • Professor Jason Roberts

    NHMRC Leadership Fellow
    Faculty of Medicine
    Director, UQ Centre for Clinical Re
    Faculty of Medicine
    Director, UQ Centre for Clinical Re
    Faculty of Medicine
    Centre Director of UQ Centre for Cl
    UQ Centre for Clinical Research
    Faculty of Medicine
Funded by:
National Health and Medical Research Council