O paciente grande queimado está entre os de maior risco de contrair infecção hospitalar, sendo que, aproximadamente 80% dos óbitos nestes pacientes são decorrentes de infecção. Devido à prevalência de S. aureus meticilina resistente (MRSA) nas unidades de queimados prescreve-se a vancomicina como fármaco de 1ª linha. Entretanto como a farmacocinética se encontra profundamente alterada geralmente ocorre a falência terapêutica e surgimento de resistência antimicrobiana. O objetivo do presente estudo foi monitorar as concentrações plasmáticas através da análise em CLAE-UV e realizar a modelagem farmacocinética da vancomicina, administrada nestes pacientes. Para tanto, validou-se método analítico que se mostrou linear, preciso, exato e suficientemente sensível para o monitoramento das concentrações plasmáticas da vancomicina nos pacientes. Investigaram-se 9 pacientes adultos grandes queimados após cirurgia de debridamento; os pacientes foram informados em detalhes sobre o estudo e assinaram o TCLE, e incluídos no protocolo. Coletaram amostras sangüíneas seriadas para a farmacocinética (PK solutions 2.0). A estatística descritiva (Microsoft Excell, Office for Windows, versão 2000) forneceu os resultados expressos através da média +/- DP: 16 mg/L±11, para o pico (referência 20-40mg/L) e 2,6 mg/L±1,5 para o vale (referência,5-10mg/L), abaixo da CME nestes pacientes. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos foram o volume aparente de distribuição que se mostrou aumentado em cerca de 3,5 vezes, (1,4 L/Kg ± 0,8 versus 0,33-0,45L/kg, referência, a depuração plasmática mostrou-se aumentada em cerca de 2,5 vezes (3,2±1,65 mL/min.kg versus 1,3 - 1,5mL/min.kg, referência, enquanto a constate de eliminação e a meia-vida biológica se mantiveram inalteradas. Este estudo indica que o regime posológico e tipo de infusão endovosa devam ser revistos, utilizando a farmacocinética como ferramenta importante. Recomenda-se ainda que a terapia dose ajustada seja baseada no controle terapêutico destes pacientes em todas as fases da internação, principalmente após cada cirurgia de debridamento. / Nosocomial infections shows high incidence in burn patient, and approximately 80% of mortality of them is due to severe infections and sepse. High prevalence of methycilin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) occurs in the intensive care units for burn patients and vancomycin is largely prescribed as first choice drug for severe infections and sepse. In general occurs therapeutic fail, since the pharmacokinetics is altered in these patients and arise the antimicrobial resistance. The main of the present study was to perform therapeutic plasma vancomycin monitoring by HPLC-UV and also PK- modelling after 1g every 12 hours, 1 hour infusion. Bioanalitical method was validated showing good linearity, precision, accuracy, good stability and robustness. Additionally method required 200µL of plasma and showed sensitivity enough for vancomycin plasma monitoring. Nine large burn patients were included in the study after they signed the informed written consent term to participate of the protocol. The follow up was done after debridment surgery. Blood samples were collected from venous catheter at time dose interval to investigate the pharmacokinetics (PK solutions 2.0) and also to determine the peak and trough. Descriptive statistics was performed applying Microsoft Excell, Office for Windows, versão 2000. Data obtained were 16 mg/L±11 peak (reference 20-40mg/L) and 2.6 mg/L±1.5 trough that was lower than MEC since the reference ranges from 5 to 10mg/L). Pharmacokinetic parameters were volume apparent of distribution, that was increased by 3.5 times (1.4 L/Kg ± 0,8 against the reference values 0.33-0.45L/kg), plasma clearance was also increased by 2.5 times (3.2±1.7mL/min.kg versus 1.3 - 1.5mL/min.kg, reference values), while elimination rate constant and biological half-life remained unchanged in those patients. Based on data obtained in the study, author recommends a revision on dose schedule and also concerning intravenous drug infusion using the pharmacokinetics as a powerful tool and the therapeutic plasma vancomycin monitoring for dose adjustments in all phases of the follow up of burn patient, mainly after each surgery debridement.

Infectious diseases cause substantial morbidity and mortality, exacerbated by increasing antibiotic resistance. In critically ill patients, recent studies indicate a substantial variability in β-lactam antibiotic levels when standardized dosing is applied. New methods for characterizing nosocomial outbreaks of bacterial infections are needed to limit transmission. The goals of this thesis were to investigate new strategies towards individualized treatment and control of bacterial infections.  In Paper I we confirmed high variability in β-lactam antibiotic levels among intensive care unit (ICU) patients from southeastern Sweden, where 45 % failed to reach treatment targets (100 % fT>MIC). Augmented renal clearance and establishing the minimum inhibitory concentration of the bacteria were important for evaluating the risk of not attaining adequate drug levels. In Paper II a rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for simultaneous quantification of 11 commonly used antibiotics was developed and tested in clinical samples. Performance goals (CV<15%) were reached. A microbiological method for quantification of β-lactam antibiotics in serum was developed in Paper III. The method could be important for hospitals without access to an LC-MS method. Paper IV and Paper V investigated ligation-mediated qPCR with high resolution melt analysis (LMqPCR HRMA), for transmission investigation of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli and other common bacterial pathogens. Results comparable to the reference method (PFGE) could be achieved within one day in a closed system and confirmed a nosocomial outbreak in Kalmar County. In Paper VI whole genome sequencing followed by bioinformatic analysis resolved transmission links within a nosocomial outbreak due to improved discriminatory power compared to LMqPCR HRMA. The high proportion of ICU patients with insufficient β-lactam drug levels emphasizes the need for individualized treatment by therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). TDM is enabled by a highly sensitive method, such as UPLC-MS/MS, but if unavailable, also by a microbial method. Molecular typing methods used for transmission investigation can detect nosocomial outbreaks. LMqPCR HRMA can be used for screening purposes. For enhanced resolution, whole genome sequencing should be used, but always together with a rigorous epidemiological investigation.

Medication management constitutes a large part of registered nurses' (RNs) daily work in municipal elderly care. They are responsible for monitoring multimorbid older persons with extensive treatments, and they often work alone, without daily access to physicians. RNs’ drug monitoring is, in this thesis, based on the concept of pharmacovigilance. Pharmacovigilance is about the science and the activities that aim to improve patient care and safety in drug use, that is, to detect, assess, understand and prevent drug-related problems. The overall aim was to explore conditions for pharmacovigilance from a nursing perspective, focusing on implications of RNs’ competence and use of a computerized decision support system (CDSS). Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used, including a questionnaire (I), focus group discussions (II), individual interviews (III) and an intervention study (IV). In total 216 RNs and 54 older persons participated from 13 special accommodations, located in three different regions. RNs who had completed further training in pharmacovigilance rated their medication competence higher than those who had not. However, there was no difference between groups in the number of pharmacovigilant activities they performed in clinical practice (I). The RNs appeared to act as “vigilant intermediaries” in drug treatment. They depended on the nursing staff's observations of drug-related problems. The RNs continuously controlled the work of staff and physicians, and attempted to compensate for shortcomings in competence, accessibility and continuity (II). RNs’ use of a CDSS was found to affect drug monitoring, including aspects of time, responsibility, standardization of the work, as well as access to knowledge and opportunities for evidence-based care (III). The CDSS detected significantly more drug-related problems when conducting medication reviews, than the RNs did. Nevertheless, this did not result in any significant improvement in the quality of drug use in the follow up, three and six months later (IV). This thesis contributes to the recognition of pharmacovigilance from a nursing perspective. Increased medication competence seems to be insufficient to generate pharmacovigilant activities. RNs depend on other health care professionals and organizational conditions in order to perform their work. A CDSS has the potential to support RNs, both in structured medication reviews and in daily clinical practice. Inter-professional collaboration is crucial, with or without a CDSS, and the entire team needs to be aware of and take responsibility. Other important conditions is the existence of well-functioning communication channels, competence across the team, and established procedures based on current guidelines.

Le traitement du VHC connaît une évolution rapide avec le développement d'antiviraux à action directe plus efficaces et mieux tolérés qui vont modifier les stratégies thérapeutiques, les facteurs prédictifs de réponse et les modalités de suivi des patients. Notre travail s'intéresse aux paramètres de suivi du traitement que sont les dosages pharmacologiques de ribavirine et le suivi des cinétiques virales lors d'une trithérapie. L'étude d'une cohorte prospective incluant 186 patients sous trithérapie par IP montre que 60% d'entre-eux présentent une SVR12 et que les facteurs prédictifs sont le génotype de l'IL28B et la réponse au précédent traitement. Une diminution de la filtration glomérulaire réversible est également observée. La mesure du taux résiduel de ribavirine permet de réduire les risques hématologiques chez des patients insuffisants rénaux, la réalisation de l'ASC témoigne d'une moins bonne exposition à la ribavirine chez des patients co-infectés par le VIH/VHC et la biodisponibilité de la ribavirine et la sévérité des anémies augmentent chez des patients traités par télaprévir. Au sein de la cohorte CUPIC, la négativation ou la diminution >50-70% de la charge virale initiale à S2 de trithérapie sont fortement prédictives de la SVR12. Cette mesure à S2 permet aussi de dépister les échappements viraux précoces. La place de la ribavirine est importante dans les associations thérapeutiques actuelles et futures. Sa surveillance pharmacologique peut avoir un intérêt au cours de futures multi-thérapies exposant à d'éventuelles interactions médicamenteuses / The rapid development of new direct antiviral agents (DAA) against HCV gives hope of more potent and well tolerated treatments. These new compounds will deeply modify therapeutic schedules, virological response prognostic factors and patients’ monitoring. The aim of our work was to define the relevance of ribavirin plasma concentration and viral kinetics monitoring during triple therapy. The study of a prospective cohort including 186 patients under triple therapy showed an SVR12 rate of 60%. Associated predictive factors were IL-28B genotype and previous treatment response. A reversible decrease of glomerular filtration rate was also observed. Ribavirin plasma concentration monitoring reduced hematological risks among patients with renal insufficiency. Early ribavirin plasma exposure showed an underexposure among HIV/HCV patients and ribavirin biodisponibility with severe anemia increased among telaprevir-treated patients. Within the CUPIC cohort, the initial viral load undetectability or decrease up to 50% or 70% at week 2 of triple therapy were predictive of SVR12. Moreover, this week 2 viral load assessment allowed the detection of early viral breakthrough. Ribavirin still plays a major role in current and future therapeutic strategies. Ribavirin monitoring could also be important during future multi-drug therapy that could be associated with drug interactions

Le traitement par BRAF-inhibiteur (BRAFi) et MEK-inhibiteur (MEKi) en association a permis d’améliorer significativement la survie des patients atteints de mélanome métastatique muté BRAFV600. Cette mutation est présente chez 50 % des patients. Les BRAFi et MEKi sont des inhibiteurs de protéines kinase, dont le métabolisme fait intervenir le CYP 3A4, à l’origine de grandes variabilités des concentrations plasmatiques inter-patients pour une même dose administrée. La moitié des patients répondent au traitement, et 90% des patients présentent des effets indésirables, nécessitant une diminution de la posologie dans 33% des cas. Dans ce contexte, nous avons décrit les effets indésirables de chacun des BRAFi et MEKi et, pour ceux qui sont dose-dépendants, nous avons cherché à établir un lien entre concentration plasmatique et survenue d’effet indésirable. Grace à la mise au point d’une méthode analytique en chromatographie liquide couplée à la spectrométrie de masse, nous avons mesuré prospectivement les concentrations plasmatiques des BRAFi et MEKi chez les patients bordelais. Ces données permis de définir un seuil de toxicité de 48 ng/ml pour le dabrafenib. La définition de ce seuil constitue une étape essentielle à la conduite d’une étude randomisée visant à évaluer l’intérêt du suivi thérapeutique pharmacologique. / The combination of BRAF-inhibitors (BRAFi) and MEK-inhibitors (MEKi) has significantly improved the survival of patients with metastatic melanoma with BRAFV600 mutation. About 50% of patients harbour BRAFV600 mutation. BRAFi and MEKi are kinase inhibitors, metabolized by CYP 3A4, responsible for large between-patients variability in plasma concentrations for the same administered dose. About half of patients respond to treatment, and 90% of patients present adverse drug reactions (ADR), requiring dose reduction in 33% of cases. In this context, we described ADR profiles of each of the BRAFi and MEKi in the global pharmacovigilance database, and for ADR that are dose-dependent; we looked for the link between plasma exposure to the drug and the occurrence of ADR. Using the assay method developed, we prospectively measured the plasma concentrations of BRAFi and MEKi in Bordeaux patients, which allowed us to define a toxicity threshold of 48 ng / ml for dabrafenib. This work allowed to deepen the knowledge on the profiles and the occurrence of the ADR for each BRAFi and MEKi. The definition of a toxicity threshold for dabrafenib is a prerequisite for a randomized study to evaluate the value of therapeutic drug monitoring.

La variabilité pharmacocinétique liée à une élimination des médicaments par glucuronoconjugaison a été peu étudiée. Nous avons donc choisi d’étudier les caractéristiques pharmacocinétiques de deux médicaments glucuronoconjugués, l’acide mycophénolique (MPA, prodrogue, mycophénolate mofétil ou MMF) et le raltégravir, dans certaines situations cliniques spécifiques. Deux études cliniques ont été réalisées avec le MMF. En transplantation hépatique pédiatrique, des AUC0-12 de MPA supérieures à 30 mg.h/L ont été obtenues chez tous les enfants avec une dose de 600 mg/m² de MMF administrée par voie orale deux fois par jour. L’estimation de l’AUC0-12 par méthode non compartimentale étant particulièrement contraignante en pédiatrie, nous avons développé une stratégie de prélèvements limités permettant une estimation à partir de seulement trois prélèvements. Chez des patients adultes transplantés rénaux, nos travaux ont permis de caractériser le polymorphisme génétique des transporteurs ABCC2 et ABCB1 et l’albuminémie comme étant des facteurs de variabilité inter et intra-individuelle de la pharmacocinétique du MPA. Les concentrations intracellulaires moyennes de MPA dans les cellules mononuclées du sang périphérique étaient élevées et largement supérieures à la concentration de MPA inhibant 50% de l’activité de l’IMPDH. Nos premiers résultats concernant le raltégravir montrent que ses paramètres pharmacocinétiques sont caractérisés par une variabilité inter-individuelle importante chez des patients infectés par le VIH. Nous avons établi que le raltégravir ne se fixe pas du tout sur l’alpha-1-glycoprotéine acide mais se fixe à 60% sur l’albumine, cette fixation étant dépendante du pH plasmatique. Cependant, cette forte liaison du raltégravir à l’albumine n’empêche pas une bonne diffusion du médicament dans le compartiment séminal. En conclusion, les études de pharmacocinétique clinique que nous avons menées montrent que la variabilité de la pharmacocinétique de ces deux médicaments glucuronoconjugués est aussi importante que pour des médicaments métabolisés par le cytochrome P450 3A4. L’identification des facteurs de variabilité de ces médicaments contribue à l’optimisation des traitements. / Pharmacokinetic variability was poorly studied for drugs eliminated by glucuronidation. We therefore chose to study the pharmacokinetic parameters of two glucuronidated drugs, mycophenolic acid (MPA, prodrug, mycophenolate mofetil or MMF) and raltegravir, in specific clinical situations. Two clinical studies were conducted with MMF. In pediatric liver transplantation, MPA AUC0-12 above the target AUC of 30 mg.h/L were obtained in all children with a MMF dosing regimen of 600 mg/m² administered orally twice a day. As extensive AUC monitoring is laborious, especially in children, we developed a limited sampling strategy to calculate MPA AUC0-12 with only three samples. In adult renal transplantation, our work allowed us to characterize genetic polymorphism of ABCC2 and ABCB1 genes and serum albumin as factors of inter and intraindividual variability in MPA pharmacokinetics. We demonstrated that MPA concentrations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were high and well above the concentration of MPA responsible for a 50%-inhibition of the activity of IMPDH. Our first results show that the raltegravir pharmacokinetics is characterized by a wide interindividual variability in HIV-infected patients. Raltegravir does not bind to alpha-1-acid glycoprotein but binds to 60% to albumin and this binding is pH-dependent. Despite this high protein binding, a good penetration into the seminal compartment was evidenced. In conclusion, these clinical pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that the variability in the pharmacokinetics of these glucuronidated drugs is as important as the one exhibited by drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4. Identifying factors of variability of these glucuronidated drugs contributes to optimizing patient care.

Objetivos: descrever incidência de eventos adversos medicamentosos em crianças sob terapia intensiva, avaliar fatores de riscos e métodos de detecção. Métodos: busca ativa em registros eletrônicos e em papel, utilizando parâmetros indicativos (gatilhos). A estatística envolveu modelos de regressão linear e logística. Resultados: Foram estudados 239 pacientes, com média de idade de 67,5 meses, em 1818 dias de internação. A média de internação foi de 7,6 dias. Houve 110 eventos adversos medicamentosos provados, prováveis e possíveis, em 84 pacientes (35,1%). Observamos 138 ocorrências de gatilhos. As principais classes de medicamentos envolvidas foram: antibióticos (n = 41), diuréticos (n = 24), anticonvulsivantes (n = 23), sedativos e analgésicos (n = 17) e corticóides (n = 18). O número de drogas foi a variável mais relacionada à ocorrência de EAM. Esta última também se correlacionou com o tempo de internação (P < 0,001). A ocorrência do evento pode estar implicada no aumento de 1,5 dia de internação para cada evento. A idade inferior a 48 meses mostrou ser um risco significativo para eventos, com OR de 1,84 (intervalo de confiança IC 95% - 1,07 - 3,15, P = 0,025). O número de drogas recebidas apresentou correlação com o número de eventos (P < 0,0001). A chance de apresentar pelo menos 1 evento elevou-se linearmente à medida que o paciente recebia mais drogas. Conclusões: o uso de múltiplas drogas e a baixa idade favorecem a ocorrência de EAM, que, por sua vez, podem estar implicados no aumento do tempo de internação em UTI. A busca ativa sistematiza a abordagem do problema / Objectives: To describe incidence of adverse drug events (ADE) in children under intensive care, to avaliate risk factors and detection methods. Methods: Active search of charts and electronic patient records using indicative parameters (\"triggers\"). The statistical analysis involved linear and logistic regression. Results: 239 patients with a mean age of 67.5 months representing 1818 days of PICU hospitalization were studied. The average PICU stay was 7.6 days. There were 110 proven, probable, and possible ADEs in 84 patients (35.1%). We observed 138 instances of triggers. The major classes of drugs associated with events were: antibiotics (n = 41), diuretics (n = 24), antiseizures (n = 23), sedatives and analgesics (n = 17), and steroids (n = 18). The number of drugs administered was most related to the occurrence of ADEs. This was also related to the length of stay (p < 0.001). The occurrence of an ADE may result in an increase in the length of stay by 1.5 days per event. Patient aged less than 48 months also proved to be at significant risk for ADEs, with an odds ratio of 1.84 (confidence interval - 95% CI - 1.07 to 3.15, p = 0.025). The number of drugs administered also correlated with the number of ADEs (p < 0.0001). The chance of having at least one ADE increased linearly as the patient was administered more drugs. Conclusions: The use of multiple drugs as well as lower patient age favor the occurrence of ADEs, which in turn may result in increasing the length of PICU hospitalization. Our active search provides a systematic approach to the problem

O paciente grande queimado está entre os de maior risco de contrair infecção hospitalar, sendo que, aproximadamente 80% dos óbitos nestes pacientes são decorrentes de infecção. Devido à prevalência de S. aureus meticilina resistente (MRSA) nas unidades de queimados prescreve-se a vancomicina como fármaco de 1ª linha. Entretanto como a farmacocinética se encontra profundamente alterada geralmente ocorre a falência terapêutica e surgimento de resistência antimicrobiana. O objetivo do presente estudo foi monitorar as concentrações plasmáticas através da análise em CLAE-UV e realizar a modelagem farmacocinética da vancomicina, administrada nestes pacientes. Para tanto, validou-se método analítico que se mostrou linear, preciso, exato e suficientemente sensível para o monitoramento das concentrações plasmáticas da vancomicina nos pacientes. Investigaram-se 9 pacientes adultos grandes queimados após cirurgia de debridamento; os pacientes foram informados em detalhes sobre o estudo e assinaram o TCLE, e incluídos no protocolo. Coletaram amostras sangüíneas seriadas para a farmacocinética (PK solutions 2.0). A estatística descritiva (Microsoft Excell, Office for Windows, versão 2000) forneceu os resultados expressos através da média +/- DP: 16 mg/L±11, para o pico (referência 20-40mg/L) e 2,6 mg/L±1,5 para o vale (referência,5-10mg/L), abaixo da CME nestes pacientes. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos foram o volume aparente de distribuição que se mostrou aumentado em cerca de 3,5 vezes, (1,4 L/Kg ± 0,8 versus 0,33-0,45L/kg, referência, a depuração plasmática mostrou-se aumentada em cerca de 2,5 vezes (3,2±1,65 mL/min.kg versus 1,3 - 1,5mL/min.kg, referência, enquanto a constate de eliminação e a meia-vida biológica se mantiveram inalteradas. Este estudo indica que o regime posológico e tipo de infusão endovosa devam ser revistos, utilizando a farmacocinética como ferramenta importante. Recomenda-se ainda que a terapia dose ajustada seja baseada no controle terapêutico destes pacientes em todas as fases da internação, principalmente após cada cirurgia de debridamento. / Nosocomial infections shows high incidence in burn patient, and approximately 80% of mortality of them is due to severe infections and sepse. High prevalence of methycilin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) occurs in the intensive care units for burn patients and vancomycin is largely prescribed as first choice drug for severe infections and sepse. In general occurs therapeutic fail, since the pharmacokinetics is altered in these patients and arise the antimicrobial resistance. The main of the present study was to perform therapeutic plasma vancomycin monitoring by HPLC-UV and also PK- modelling after 1g every 12 hours, 1 hour infusion. Bioanalitical method was validated showing good linearity, precision, accuracy, good stability and robustness. Additionally method required 200&#181;L of plasma and showed sensitivity enough for vancomycin plasma monitoring. Nine large burn patients were included in the study after they signed the informed written consent term to participate of the protocol. The follow up was done after debridment surgery. Blood samples were collected from venous catheter at time dose interval to investigate the pharmacokinetics (PK solutions 2.0) and also to determine the peak and trough. Descriptive statistics was performed applying Microsoft Excell, Office for Windows, versão 2000. Data obtained were 16 mg/L±11 peak (reference 20-40mg/L) and 2.6 mg/L±1.5 trough that was lower than MEC since the reference ranges from 5 to 10mg/L). Pharmacokinetic parameters were volume apparent of distribution, that was increased by 3.5 times (1.4 L/Kg ± 0,8 against the reference values 0.33-0.45L/kg), plasma clearance was also increased by 2.5 times (3.2±1.7mL/min.kg versus 1.3 - 1.5mL/min.kg, reference values), while elimination rate constant and biological half-life remained unchanged in those patients. Based on data obtained in the study, author recommends a revision on dose schedule and also concerning intravenous drug infusion using the pharmacokinetics as a powerful tool and the therapeutic plasma vancomycin monitoring for dose adjustments in all phases of the follow up of burn patient, mainly after each surgery debridement.

Objetivos: descrever incidência de eventos adversos medicamentosos em crianças sob terapia intensiva, avaliar fatores de riscos e métodos de detecção. Métodos: busca ativa em registros eletrônicos e em papel, utilizando parâmetros indicativos (gatilhos). A estatística envolveu modelos de regressão linear e logística. Resultados: Foram estudados 239 pacientes, com média de idade de 67,5 meses, em 1818 dias de internação. A média de internação foi de 7,6 dias. Houve 110 eventos adversos medicamentosos provados, prováveis e possíveis, em 84 pacientes (35,1%). Observamos 138 ocorrências de gatilhos. As principais classes de medicamentos envolvidas foram: antibióticos (n = 41), diuréticos (n = 24), anticonvulsivantes (n = 23), sedativos e analgésicos (n = 17) e corticóides (n = 18). O número de drogas foi a variável mais relacionada à ocorrência de EAM. Esta última também se correlacionou com o tempo de internação (P < 0,001). A ocorrência do evento pode estar implicada no aumento de 1,5 dia de internação para cada evento. A idade inferior a 48 meses mostrou ser um risco significativo para eventos, com OR de 1,84 (intervalo de confiança IC 95% - 1,07 - 3,15, P = 0,025). O número de drogas recebidas apresentou correlação com o número de eventos (P < 0,0001). A chance de apresentar pelo menos 1 evento elevou-se linearmente à medida que o paciente recebia mais drogas. Conclusões: o uso de múltiplas drogas e a baixa idade favorecem a ocorrência de EAM, que, por sua vez, podem estar implicados no aumento do tempo de internação em UTI. A busca ativa sistematiza a abordagem do problema / Objectives: To describe incidence of adverse drug events (ADE) in children under intensive care, to avaliate risk factors and detection methods. Methods: Active search of charts and electronic patient records using indicative parameters (\"triggers\"). The statistical analysis involved linear and logistic regression. Results: 239 patients with a mean age of 67.5 months representing 1818 days of PICU hospitalization were studied. The average PICU stay was 7.6 days. There were 110 proven, probable, and possible ADEs in 84 patients (35.1%). We observed 138 instances of triggers. The major classes of drugs associated with events were: antibiotics (n = 41), diuretics (n = 24), antiseizures (n = 23), sedatives and analgesics (n = 17), and steroids (n = 18). The number of drugs administered was most related to the occurrence of ADEs. This was also related to the length of stay (p < 0.001). The occurrence of an ADE may result in an increase in the length of stay by 1.5 days per event. Patient aged less than 48 months also proved to be at significant risk for ADEs, with an odds ratio of 1.84 (confidence interval - 95% CI - 1.07 to 3.15, p = 0.025). The number of drugs administered also correlated with the number of ADEs (p < 0.0001). The chance of having at least one ADE increased linearly as the patient was administered more drugs. Conclusions: The use of multiple drugs as well as lower patient age favor the occurrence of ADEs, which in turn may result in increasing the length of PICU hospitalization. Our active search provides a systematic approach to the problem

HIV antiretroviral therapy spans several different drug classes, meant to combat various aspects of viral infection and replication. Many authors have argued the benefits of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for the HIV patient including compliance assurance and assessment of appropriate drug concentrations; however, the array of drug chemistries and combinations makes TDM an arduous task. HPLC-UV and LC-MS/MS are both frequent instruments for the quantification of HIV drugs in biological matrices with investigators striving to balance sensitivity and affordability. Plasma, the dominant matrix for these analyses, is prepared using protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction or solid-phase extraction depending on the specific complement of analytes. Despite the range of polarities found in drug classes relevant to HIV therapeutics, most chromatographic separations utilize a hydrophobic column (C18 ). Additionally, as the clinically relevant samples for these assays are infected with HIV, along with possible co-infections, another important aspect of sample preparation concerns viral inactivation. Although not routine in clinical practice, many published analytical methods from the previous two decades have demonstrated the ability to conduct TDM in HIV patients receiving various medicinal combinations. This review summarizes the analytical methods relevant to TDM of HIV drugs, while highlighting respective challenges.