Isavuconazole for treatment of refractory coccidioidal meningitis with concomitant cerebrospinal fluid and plasma therapeutic drug monitoring

Abstract

Coccidioidal meningitis (CM) is a life-threatening infection with limited treatment options. Small series have reported success with isavuconazole; however, limited data exist on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) penetration. Paired plasma and CSF isavuconazole concentrations were measured. Eleven CSF levels were tested, (7 ventricular, 4 lumbar) in three CM patients. Ventricular CSF levels were undetectable despite detectable plasma levels. All lumbar CSF levels were detectable (mean 1.00 μg/ml). Three pairs of lumbar CSF/plasma concentrations taken within 1 h of each other yielded a mean CSF/plasma ratio of 0.31. Isavuconazole was detectable in lumbar but not ventricular CSF in three patients treated for refractory CM.