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Homogeneous Immunoassays—Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
QMS®—Latex Enhanced Immunoturbidimetric Assays
Vancomycin Assay System
The VANCOMYCIN Assay System is intended for the quantitative determination of total vancomycin in serum for therapeutic drug monitoring.
The emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus in hospitalized patients led to the development of vancomycin, a water soluble, tricyclic glycopeptide.1,2 the drug acts by blocking cell wall synthesis, is bactericidal against most gram positive organisms except entercocci, and is frequently used to treat infections caused by penicillin-resistant staphylococci.3,4 Extensive review articles have been published which fully examine vancomycin’s effectiveness and pharmacokinetics.5-12
Vancomycin is absorbed minimally from the gastrointestinal tract. In the first 24 hours after intravenous dosing, the usual route of administration, about 90% of the vancomycin is excreted unchanged by the kidneys. The average half-life in patients with normal renal function is about 6 hours. Vancomycin is approximately 55% bound to plasma proteins. Therapeutic serum levels vary depending on the microorganism involved and the patient’s tolerance of the drug.4,9 Vancomycin serum concentrations are monitored to guide therapy, since individual patient differences require dose changes which are difficult to predict. Monitoring serum levels of vancomycin decreases the frequency of serious toxic effects.4,5 Immunoassays for vancomycin using a fluorescence polarization technique have been described.13
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