Voriconazole as an alternative oral treatment in fluconazole-resistant urinary candidiasis

Infect Dis Now. 2024 Sep;54(6):104955. doi: 10.1016/j.idnow.2024.104955. Epub 2024 Jul 21.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to assess the urinary diffusion and clinical effectiveness of voriconazole in patients with fluconazole-resistant urinary candidiasis.

Patients and methods: In this prospective pilot study, we utilized a validated chromatography method to measure voriconazole in urine over a 12-hour period between two administrations of the drug and in plasma at trough.

Results: Thirty-five patients, including five with fluconazole-resistant urinary candidiasis, were included. Urine and plasma voriconazole concentrations, mean 1.7 mg/L (range: 0.3-12.6) and mean 2.0 mg/L (range: 0.1-11.1) respectively, exhibited a strong correlation (R2 = 0.88). None of the five patients treated for candidiasis experienced clinical or microbiological failure following treatment, with urine concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 2.7 mg/L.

Conclusions: The urinary diffusion of voriconazole resulted in drug exposure above the target minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the five patients treated for voriconazole-susceptible Candida strains in urine. Therapeutic drug monitoring may allow optimize in situ concentrations.

Keywords: Antifungal; Fluconazole-resistance; Therapeutic drug monitoring; Urinary candidiasis; Voriconazole.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antifungal Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Candida / drug effects
  • Candidiasis* / drug therapy
  • Candidiasis* / urine
  • Drug Monitoring / methods
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal*
  • Female
  • Fluconazole* / administration & dosage
  • Fluconazole* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urinary Tract Infections* / drug therapy
  • Voriconazole* / administration & dosage
  • Voriconazole* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Voriconazole
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Fluconazole