Published papers

Background: The association between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccines and myocarditis/pericarditis in the Japanese population has not been systematically investigated. This study was aimed at clarifying the association between SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273) and myocarditis/pericarditis as well as influencing factors by using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database. Methods: Reporting odds ratios (RORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) for the association between the vaccines and myocarditis/pericarditis were calculated using data from the database (April 2004–December 2023). Age, sex, onset time, and outcomes in symptomatic patients were evaluated. Results: The total number of reports was 880,999 (myocarditis: 1846; pericarditis: 761). The adverse events associated with the vaccines included myocarditis (919 cases) and pericarditis (321 cases), with the ROR [95 % CIs] being significant for both (myocarditis: 30.51 [27.82–33.45], pericarditis: 21.99 [19.03–25.40]). Furthermore, the ROR [95 % CIs] of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 were 15.64 [14.15–17.28] and 54.23 [48.13–61.10], respectively, for myocarditis, and 15.78 [13.52–18.42] and 27.03 [21.58–33.87], respectively, for pericarditis. Furthermore, most cases were ≤30 years or male. The period from vaccination to onset was ≤8 days, corresponding to early failure type based on analysis using the Weibull distribution. Outcomes were recovery or remission for most cases; however, they were severe or caused death in some cases. Conclusion: In the Japanese population, SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination was significantly associated with the onset of myocarditis/pericarditis. The influencing factors included age of ≤30 years and male. Furthermore, although most adverse events occurred early after vaccination, overall outcomes were good.

Background: Metronidazole (MNZ) can be administered for various infections. The impact of comorbidities/concomitant drugs on MNZ-induced central nervous system (CNS) disorders remains unclear. Research design and methods: We assessed the risk of metronidazole-related CNS disorders using the Japan Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER, May 2023) and the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS, Q1 2023), excluding comorbidities/concomitant drugs. Clonazepam and diazepam were evaluated as potential prophylactics based on the efficacy of benzodiazepines for MNZ-related CNS disorders. Reporting odds ratios (ROR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Additionally, sensitivity analysis by sex and age was conducted. Results: The ROR (95% CI) of CNS disorders associated with MNZ in JADER and FAERS were 3.16 (2.69–3.72) and 1.69 (1.64–1.73), respectively. MNZ was significantly related to CNS disorders after excluding comorbidities (brain/spinal cord or liver abscesses) and concomitant drugs (glucocorticoids, antiepileptic, antiparkinson, and schizophrenia drugs). In sensitivity analysis, MNZ was significantly related to CNS disorders, despite sex and age. The ROR in the concomitant with clonazepam (CZP) was 0.70 (0.53–0.92) in FAERS. Conclusion: MNZ may be associated with CNS disorders, even if comorbidities/concomitant drugs that are potential risk factors for CNS disorders are excluded. Additionally, CZP may suppress CNS disorders.

The global incidence and prevalence of pulmonary disease caused by the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), mainly comprising M. avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare, is increasing. However, treating MAC pulmonary disease is challenging in cases of clarithromycin (CLR)-resistant MAC or where the patients experience adverse effects or drug interactions with the few available antibiotics. Therefore, developing novel and highly effective antibiotics against MAC is crucial. Although the efficacy of dual β-lactams against Mycobacterium abscessus has been receiving attention, the efficacy of dual β-lactams against MAC remains unclear. Here, we used MAC type strains and clinical isolates to determine whether dual β-lactams were effective against MAC and which combinations synergistically inhibited bacterial growth using a broth microdilution checkerboard assay with 6 oral and 22 intravenous antibiotics. The combination effect and antibacterial activity differed between M. avium and M. intracellulare. Five combinations of oral β-lactams and 78 combinations of intravenous β-lactams showed a synergistic effect against the M. avium type strain. Among the M. avium clinical isolates, faropenem combined with cefuroxime showed the highest synergistic effect, and amoxicillin combined with tebipenem showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration. There was no significant difference in the combination effects between the CLR-susceptible and CLR-resistant M. avium clinical isolates in these pairs. In conclusion, regardless of CLR susceptibility, the oral β-lactam combinations were effective against M. avium. Thus, when treating MAC pulmonary disease, it is crucial to determine whether M. avium or M. intracellulare is the cause. IMPORTANCE Mycobacterium avium complex causes chronic respiratory infections, but treatment is often limited by drug resistance, intolerance, or interactions. As new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed, we focused on β-lactam antibiotics, which are widely used and well tolerated. Although dual β-lactams are effective against Mycobacterium abscessus, their utility against Mycobacterium avium complex has remained largely unexplored. Our in vitro study revealed that several β-lactam combinations are effective against Mycobacterium avium, regardless of drug resistance, indicating potential for clinical use. In contrast, Mycobacterium intracellulare showed lower susceptibility to β-lactams. Given this difference in drug susceptibility, we emphasize the clinical need to distinguish Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare to optimize treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease.

Background Isavuconazole (ISA) is a treatment option for invasive fungal infections (IFIs) and is known for a favorable safety profile compared with other antifungal agents. However, comprehensive evidence regarding its efficacy and safety remains limited. Objectives This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ISA compared with other antifungal agents through a systematic review and meta-analysis restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs), to provide more reliable estimates of its clinical effects. Methods Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify RCTs comparing ISA with other antifungal agents. The primary outcomes were clinical response and mortality. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of adverse events, including serious, drug-related, and organ-specific toxicities. A subgroup analysis was conducted focusing on filamentous fungal infections, comparing ISA and voriconazole. Results Three RCTs met the inclusion criteria. No statistically significant differences were observed between ISA and comparator agents in terms of clinical response, mortality, or total and organ-specific adverse events. A trend toward fewer adverse events was noted in the ISA group. In the subgroup analysis, ISA and voriconazole showed similar efficacy and overall safety; however, the incidence of both drug-related adverse events and hepatobiliary disorders was significantly lower in the ISA group. Conclusions ISA demonstrated efficacy comparable to that of other antifungal agents, with a favorable safety profile in patients with IFIs, including filamentous fungal infections. This meta-analysis of RCTs provides high-quality evidence to support antifungal drug selection in clinical practice.

Introduction: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a population pharmacokinetic model and optimal dosing regimen for vancomycin in overweight and obese adults. Methods: A population pharmacokinetic model using a two-compartment system was constructed using a nonlinear mixed-effects approach, incorporating 527 data points from 184 participants. External validation of the model was carried out using an additional 55 data points from 21 participants; these were not used in the construction of the model. Monte Carlo simulations were used to determine the dosage that achieved the steady state area under the curve value falling between 400 μg h/mL and 600 μg h/mL. Results: In the final model, vancomycin clearance was found to be a significant predictor of blood vancomycin levels, alongside creatinine clearance (CCr), blood urea nitrogen levels, and incidence of heart failure. CCr was calculated with adjusted body weight (AdjBW). AdjBW was selected as a predictor of the volume of distribution in the central and peripheral compartments. External validation showed that the highest proportion of cases had deviations of less than 15 % between measured and predicted values in the final model developed in this study. This indicates that our model outperforms previously developed models (five for obese patients and four for non-obese patients). Conclusions: Our model shows that determining effective vancomycin doses for overweight and obese patients depend on estimated CCr rates, AdjBW, BUN levels, and incidence of heart failure.

Objective: While both peak and trough (two-point) sampling are recommended to estimate the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) for vancomycin, one-point sampling may reduce clinical burden. This study aimed to identify patient populations requiring two-point sampling by examining risk factors associated with AUC discrepancies between one- and two-point sampling during follow-up therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Method: This multicenter retrospective observational study included adult patients who received vancomycin from September 2020 to December 2023 and underwent two-point sampling at both initial and follow-up TDM. AUC was estimated using the Practical Antimicrobial TDM (PAT) version 4.0, and creatinine clearance (CLcr) was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation. One- and two-point follow-up AUCs were compared using previously entered two-point concentrations from initial TDM. Patients were divided into a discrepancy group (AUC difference ≥10 %) and a non-discrepancy group. Risk factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: AUC values from one- and two-point sampling in 256 cases were highly correlated (r2 = 0.965, p < 0.001). Seventeen cases (6.6 %) showed discrepancies ≥10 %. Multivariate analysis identified BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (OR = 6.946, p = 0.001), CLcr <50 mL/min (OR = 5.863, p = 0.002), and ΔCLcr ≥10 mL/min (OR = 4.444, p = 0.012) as significant risk factors. Conclusion: Although one- and two-point AUCs showed strong correlation, discrepancies ≥10 % were more likely in patients with elevated BMI or impaired/unstable renal function. This suggests that two-point sampling may be essential for these patients to ensure accurate dosing of vancomycin during follow-up TDM.