Penetration of vancomycin into human lung tissue

Abstract

Vancomycin penetration into lung tissue was evaluated in thirty patients following the administration of 1 g of vancomycin as a 1 h iv infusion. Mean concentrations (range) of vancomycin in lung tissue were 9.6 (6.3–12.1) mg/kg at 1 h, 5.7 (4.7–7.4) mg/kg at 2 h, 4.2 (0.8–6.5) mg/kg at 3–4 h, 2.4 (1.4–4.7) mg/kg at 6 h, and 2.8 (0.9–7.8) mg/kg at 12 h after the end of infusion. Ratios of lung tissue to serum concentration ranged 0.24 to 0.41 at 1 and 12 h, respectively. One of six patients observed at 6 h, and 3 of 7 patients at 12 h did not have detectable levels of vancomycin in lung tissue. A 1 h iv infusion of a 1 g dose of vancomycin does not achieve sustained lung concentrations above the MIC for susceptible staphylococci over a dosing interval of 12 h. Therefore, a more appropriate modality of administration, such as continuous infusion, should be considered.