A survey to describe common practices on antifungal monitoring among Spanish clinicians

Abstract

IntroductionWe developed a survey to obtain information on the monitoring practices of major systemic antifungals for treatment and prevention of serious fungal infection. MethodsThe survey included questions relating to methodology and practice and was distributed among 137 colleagues of the Study Group of Medical Mycology (GEMICOMED) from July to December 2019. ResultsMonitoring was routinely carried out by most respondents, mainly for voriconazole, and was more likely used to determine the efficacy of the dose administered and less for minimizing drug toxicity. Most responders did not follow the strategies of voriconazole dosage based on CYP2C19 genotyping. Monitoring of posaconazole, itraconazole, or other azole metabolites was not carried out or scarcely demanded. Most responders rarely used flucytosine in their clinical practice nor did they monitor it. According to the answers given by some responders, monitoring isavuconazole, amphotericin B, caspofungin and fluconazole exposure would be also interesting in daily clinical practice in selected patient populations. ConclusionsThe survey reveals common practices and attitudes towards antifungal monitoring, sometimes not performed as per best recommendations, offering an opportunity for education and research. Appropriate use of therapeutic drug monitoring may be an objective of antifungal stewardship programmes.