Claudia A.W. Heijens

Mrs. Claudia A.W. Heijens


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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3 February 2026 in Antibiotics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ANArnold Japhet Ndaro
Arnold Japhet Ndaro
HSHadija H. Semvua
Hadija H. Semvua
CMCharles Michael Mtabho
Charles Michael Mtabho
CHClaudia A.W. Heijens
Claudia A.W. Heijens
LBLindsey Hendrika Maria te Brake
Lindsey Hendrika Maria te Brake
RARob Aarnoutse
Rob Aarnoutse
Introduction: Plasma is the standard biological fluid used in pharmacokinetic (PK) studies and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of pyrazinamide, a key antituberculosis (TB) drug. This study described the PK of pyrazinamide in saliva and investigated whether saliva could serve as an alternative matrix for pyrazinamide PK evaluations. Methods: Fifteen adult Tanzanian TB patients in the intensive treatment phase participated in a descriptive PK study. Time-matched saliva (stimulated using a Salivette® with citric acid) and plasma samples were collected at multiple intervals up to 24 h after drug intake. Pyrazinamide concentrations were measured using validated HPLC methods, exposure measures were assessed, and predictive performance for salivary concentrations was determined. Results: Salivary exposure to pyrazinamide (AUC0–24h: 230 h·mg/L; Cmax: 28.6 mg/L) was lower than plasma exposure (AUC0–24h: 377 h·mg/L; Cmax: 36.4 mg/L, p < 0.001), but Tmax was similar (median 2.0 h, p = 0.893). A saliva/plasma ratio of 0.59 was assessed, and a reciprocal conversion factor of 1.68 allowed for reasonably accurate (bias 5.8%) but imprecise (imprecision 24.3%) plasma concentration predictions from saliva. Use of a conversion factor of 1.49, based on more stable saliva/plasma concentration ratios for samples between 2 and 6 h post-dose, resulted in a bias of 0.74% and imprecision of 17.7% for predicting plasma concentrations from salivary concentrations in the 2–6 h interval. Conclusions: The exposure to pyrazinamide in saliva is relatively high. Salivary measurement of pyrazinamide can be used as a semi-quantitative predictor of pyrazinamide plasma concentrations.