As part of a project to promote antimicrobial steward among medical professionals, AMR Alliance Japan (Secretariat: Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI)) has been publishing case studies from various experts related to antimicrobial resistance.

The latest case report was created by Dr. Koji Masuda (Vice Chief Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy, International Healthcare and welfare University, NARITA Hospital) and Dr. Kenji Ikeda (Chief Pharmacist, International Healthcare and welfare University, NARITA Hospital / Deputy Director, Department of Pharmacy, Narita Hospital, International University of Health and Welfare). It is entitled, “TDM Is Not Only for Safety, but for Ensuring Effectiveness.”
This is the third of three case studies from AMR Alliance Japan on the usefulness of TDM for antimicrobial stewardship.

Case study 08
Dr. Koji Masuda (Vice Chief Pharmacist, Department of Pharmacy, International Healthcare and welfare University, NARITA Hospital)
Dr. Kenji Ikeda (Chief Pharmacist, International Healthcare and welfare University, NARITA Hospital / Deputy Director, Department of Pharmacy, Narita Hospital, International University of Health and Welfare)
“TDM Is Not Only for Safety, but for Ensuring Effectiveness.”

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■ Case studies from various experts related to AMR

Case study 01
Dr. Keiji Okinaka (Director of Infection Control and Prevention Section, National Cancer Center Hospital East / Department of General Internal Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital East /Division of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, National Cancer Center Hospital) 
“A disseminated filamentous fungal infection that broke through echinocandin antifungal treatment”

Case study 02
Dr. Shogo Otake and Dr. Masashi Kasai (Department of Infectious Diseases, Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital)
“AMR can affect newborns! A 5-month-old boy with a urinary tract infection caused by AMR bacteria”

Case study 03
Dr. Takashi Ueda (Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Hyogo College of Medicine Hospital)
“Candidemia Requires Routine Ophthalmologic Evaluation!”

Case study 04
Dr. Akari Shigemi (Division of Pharmacy / Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Kagoshima University Hospital)
“The importance of proper antimicrobial use for MRSA infections – Beware of rifampicin monotherapy induced resistance”

Case study 05
Dr. Keisuke Kagami (Department of Pharmacy, Hokkaido University Hospital)
Dr. Mitsuru Sugawara (Department of Pharmacy, Hokkaido University Hospital / Laboratory of Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University)
“Concomitant piperacillin-tazobactam and vancomycin use increases the risk of acute kidney injury.”

Case study 06
Dr. Keisuke Kagami (Department of Pharmacy, Hokkaido University Hospital)
Dr. Mitsuru Sugawara (Department of Pharmacy, Hokkaido University Hospital / Laboratory of Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University)
“Thrombocytopenia Can be Avoided By Monitoring Linezolid Blood Levels – Enabling Long-Term Linezolid Use for the Successful Treatment of Refractory Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis.”

Case study 07 – Patient’s Voice
Ms. Sachiko Ito (Supporter, AMR Alliance Japan / Person Affected by Non-tuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Lung Disease)
“I hope more healthcare professionals take an interest in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and work to promote the appropriate usage of antimicrobials.”