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Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:1418-1419 doi:10.1136/bjo.2005.073700
  • Clinical science
    • Scientific reports

The pharmacokinetics of linezolid in the non-inflamed human eye

  1. J I Prydal1,
  2. D R Jenkins2,
  3. A Lovering3,
  4. A Watts4
  1. 1Department of Ophthalmic Surgery, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK
  2. 2Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK
  3. 3Bristol Centre for Antimicrobial Research and Evaluation, Southmead Hospital, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK
  4. 4Department of Ophthalmic Surgery, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK
  1. Correspondence to: Jeremy Prydal Department of Ophthalmic Surgery, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Infirmary Square, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK; jipprydal.co.uk
  • Accepted 15 July 2005

Abstract

Aim: This study describes the ocular pharmacokinetics of linezolid, an antibiotic with broad spectrum activity against those Gram positive bacteria that are the most frequent cause of postoperative endophthalmitis.

Method: Patients undergoing routine cataract surgery were given a single oral 600 mg dose of linezolid at a variable time before surgery. Aqueous and serum levels of linezolid were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography, and a pharmacokinetic curve constructed from the pooled results.

Results: Orally administered linezolid rapidly achieves levels in the aqueous of non-inflamed eyes that exceed the concentration required to kill Gram positive bacteria (maximum mean concentration 6.8 (SD 1.2) µg/ml at 2–4 hours post-dose). An effective concentration is maintained for at least 12 hours, the standard interdose interval for this antimicrobial.

Conclusion: Linezolid offers the possibility of a rapid, oral approach to effective treatment of most cases of postoperative endophthalmitis, with the potential of improving visual outcome.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: Pfizer UK paid for the drug assays in this study and provided research funds to University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. JIP and AW have been reimbursed by Pfizer for attending one conference.

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