Antibiotic and Antifungal Assays

• drugs with a known or suspected relationship between concentrations in blood and toxicity
• drugs with a known or suspected relationship between concentrations in blood and efficacy
• where there is pharmacokinetic variation such that concentrations in blood cannot be predicted
• to confirm oral absorption
• to test compliance.

Vancomycin, gentamicin and amikacin TDM assays are performed in the OUH Biochemistry Laboratory.

Other antibiotic / antifungal TDM are sent to reference laboratories by Microbiology.

The assays routinely available are visible via the EPR requesting interface - see below.

Related guidance can be found on the OUH Microguide (Antibiotic Serum Level Monitoring)

Sample type

Serum

Specimen requirements

Blood in yellow top SST preferred or paediatric tube

Essential information required:

• times and dosage of antibiotic to be assayed
• date and time specimens collected
• whether peak or trough.

Minimum volume

N/A

Frequency of test

Daily for vancomycin, gentamicin and amikacin

Turnaround time

Biochemistry - one day

Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Bristol TDM TAT - 2 to 6 days (TAT drug dependent)

What to request on EPR

Antimicrobial drug level (TDM) CareSet