Impaired target site penetration of β -lactams may account for therapeutic failure in patients with septic shock

Abstract

The results of the present study demonstrate that in septic shock patients, piperacillin concentrations in the interstitial space may be subinhibitory, even though effective concentrations are attained in plasma. The lack of success of antimicrobial therapy in these patients thus might be attributable to inadequate target site penetration of antibiotics.