Penetration of Meropenem in Lung, Bronchial Mucosa, and Pleural Tissues

Lung, bronchial mucosa, and pleural tissue samples were obtained from 14 patients undergoing lung surgery 1 to 5 h after administration of 1 g of meropenem. The mean (range) peak concentrations of meropenem were 3.9 (0.2 to 8.2), 6.6 (3.0 to 13.3), and 2.8 (0.6 to 7.8) mg/kg of tissue, respectively, exceeding the MICs at which 90% of isolates are inhibited for most respiratory pathogens.