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This research was funded by the Government of the Region de Murcia (Spain) by the Fundacion Seneca (project 20950/PI/18). The Fundacion Seneca had no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript., Background: Metformin hydrochloride is a biguanide derivative that has been widely used to treat type 2 diabetes in humans. In veterinary medicine, metformin has shown increasing potential for diabetes treatment in different species, such as equids, dogs, cats and rabbits. It is highly hydrophilic, with incomplete gastrointestinal absorption and very large variability in absolute bioavailability between species, ranging from 4% in equids to 60% in humans. Metformin also shows a short half-life of approximately 2 h in dogs, cats, horses and humans. The objectives of this study were to evaluate a poly (lactic acid) (PLA) metformin microparticle formulation to test in rabbits and conduct a pharmacokinetics study of intravenous ( SIV) and oral solution ( SPO) metformin administration and oral PLA microparticle ( SPLA) administration to rabbits to evaluate the improvement in the metformin pharmacokinetics profile. Results: Metformin-loaded PLA microparticles were characterized by a spherical shape and high encapsulation efficiency. The results from Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy suggested the presence of interactions between metformin and PLA. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis corroborated the results from the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies, showing that metformin is present in an amorphous state within the microparticles. Physicochemical characterization suggested that PLA and metformin hydrochloride interacted within the microparticles via hydrogen bonding interactions. The pharmacokinetic study in rabbits showed sustained-release characteristics from the prepared microparticles with a delay in the time needed to reach the maximum concentration ( Tmax), decreased Cmax and bioavailability, and increased mean residence time (MRT) and half-life compared to the pure drug solution. Conclusions: Metformin-loaded PLA microparticles showed optimal and beneficial properties in terms of their physicochemical characteristics, making them suitable for use in an in vivo pharmacokinetic study. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the metformin microparticles from the in vivo study showed a shorter Tmax, longer MRT and half-life, decreased Cmax and the prolonged/sustained release expected for metformin. However, the unexpected decrease in bioavailability of metformin from the microparticles with respect to the oral solution should be evaluated for microparticle and dose design in future works, especially before being tested in other animal species in veterinary medicine., Government of the Region de Murcia (Spain) by the Fundacion Seneca 20950/PI/18

This project has been funded by Ministerio de Economia y Competividad (AGL201676568-R) of Spain. Ana Garcia-Galan Perez is beneficiary of a research fellowship (State Subprogram Training of the State Program for the Promotion of Talent and its Employability, BES-2017-080186)., Thanks are due to J. Carrizosa (IMIDA) and the Caprine Veterinary Farm of the University of Murcia for their assistance with the experiments., In some countries like Spain and France, contagious agalactia (CA) is a highly relevant issue. CA is a mycoplasmosis affecting small ruminants and it is associated with a relevant economic impact on dairy. The poor efficacy of vaccines and their inability to prevent disease transmission is conducive to the use of antibiotics to control CA. However, only a few groups of antimicrobial agents are effective against these species, and selecting an adequate antimicrobial agent following the categorization of antibiotics made by the different international organisms (European Medicine Agency, World Health Organization) in veterinary medicine becomes a difficult task. The PK/PD approach is a useful tool to guide veterinarians on the appropriate targets through a rational selection of the best dose regimen of antimicrobial agents. In this study, marbofloxacin pharmacokinetics was studied after three routes of administration with two long-acting formulations. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values of Mycoplasma agalactia isolated from goats affected by CA in Spain were calculated. The results show that systemic exposure achieved in lactating goats following these formulations provides rate of drug release that could be adequate to maintain effective plasma concentrations against M. agalactiae. The PK/PD analysis by Monte Carlo simulation showed that a dosage regimen from 8.47 to 11.57 mg/kg every 24 h could effectively treat goats affected by CA. Contagious agalactia is a mycoplasmosis affecting small ruminants that have become an important issue in many countries. However, PK/PD studies of antibiotics to treat this problem in lactating goats affected by Mycoplasma (M.) agalactiae, the main CA-causing mycoplasma are almost non-existent. The aims of this study were to evaluate the plasma and milk disposition of marbofloxacin in lactating goats after intravenous (IV), subcutaneous (SC) and subcutaneous poloxamer P407 formulations with and without carboxy-methylcellulose (SC-P407-CMC and SC-P407) administration. Marbofloxacin concentrations were analysed by the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of M. agalactiae field isolates from mastitic goat's milk were used to calculate surrogate markers of efficacy. Terminal half-lives of marbofloxacin after IV, SC, SC-P407 and SC-P407-CMC administration were 7.12, 6.57, 13.92 and 12.19 h in plasma, and the half-lives of elimination of marbofloxacin in milk were 7.22, 7.16, 9.30 and 7.74 h after IV, SC, SC-P407 and SC-P407-CMC administration, respectively. Marbofloxacin penetration from the blood into the milk was extensive, with Area Under the Curve (AUC(milk)/AUC(plasma)) ratios ranged 1.04-1.23, and maximum concentrations (Cmax-milk/Cmax-plasma) ratios ranged 0.72-1.20. The PK/PD surrogate markers of efficacy fAUC24/MIC and the Monte Carlo simulation show that marbofloxacin ratio (fAUC(24)/MIC > 125) using a 90% of target attainment rate (TAR) need a dose regimen between 8.4 mg/kg (SC) and 11.57 mg/kg (P407CMC) and should be adequate to treat contagious agalactia in lactating goats., Ministerio de Economia y Competividad of Spain AGL201676568-R, Research fellowship (State Subprogram Training of the State Program for the Promotion of Talent and its Employability) BES-2017-080186

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important pathogen that causes clinical mastitis in goats and produces infections difficult to cure. Different antimicrobials as fluoroquinolones have been used against S. aureus. However, the studies developed to evaluate the bacterial drug interaction only have used the MIC as a single reference point with artificial growth media. The aims of this study were to describe the effect of marbofloxacin on S. aureus isolated from mastitis goats’ milk by different approaches as the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC) in cation adjusted Mueller–Hinton broth (CAMHB), serum and milk of goats at two inoculum sizes of 105 and 108 CFU/mL, the determination and analysis of the time kill curves (TKC) by non-linear mixed effect models in each growth medium and inoculum size, as well as the estimation of their pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) cutoff values. The results obtained indicate that MIC values were higher and increases 2,4-fold in serum and 3,6-fold in milk at high inoculum, as well as the EC50 values determined by each pharmacodynamics model. Finally, the PK/PD cutoff values defined as fAUC24/MIC ratios to achieve clinical efficacy were highly dependent on inoculum and growth medium, with median values of 60–180, especially at high inoculum in milk, suggesting that further studies are necessary to evaluate and optimize the best therapeutic strategies for treating S. aureus in lactating goats., Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Argentina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Background: Metformin hydrochloride a biguanide derivative has been widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes in humans. In veterinary medicine, metformin has been increasing his potential in different species as equids for insulin dysregulation, dogs and cats with diabetes. It is a highly soluble hydrophilic drug, shows incomplete absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and the absolute bioavailability is 40-60 % with a short biological half-life of 1.5-1.6 h in humans. In this study, to improve its efficacy a sustained-release microparticles of metformin was developed by loading within poly lactic acid (PLA) polymer followed by an in vivo pharmacokinetics study in rabbits. Results: Pharmacokinetic study in rabbits showed the sustained-release characteristic from the prepared microparticles with delayed time to reach maximum concentrations Tmax, decreased Cmax, increased Mean Residence Time (MRT) and half-life compared to the pure drug solution. Physicochemical characterization suggested that PLA and metformin hydrochloride interacted within the microparticles via hydrogen bonds and that the drug was transformed to an amorphous state. Conclusions: The The pharmacokinetics parameters resulted in delayed Tmax, increased MRT and t1/2, decreased Cmax of metformin from microparticles that show promise for prolonged/sustained release of metformin after oral administration in different animal species affected by insulin disorders. PLA microparticles provided sustained release of the drug, and these systems can be useful as drug carriers for hydrophilic drugs in long term disease treatment such as diabetes.

Insulin dysregulation (ID) is a common metabolic disorder in horses. Recently, incretin hormone release has been suggested to be involved in ID in horses. In human medicine, metformin and sitagliptin are commonly used in combination for metabolic syndrome. This combination could be useful in treating ID in horses. However, no pharmacokinetics data have been reported in this species. The objective of the present study was to establish the plasma concentration–time profile and to derive pharmacokinetics data for a combination of metformin and sitagliptin in horses after enteral administration. Six healthy adult Purebred Spanish horses were used. A metformin (15 mg/kg) plus sitagliptin (1.5 mg/kg) preparation was administered by intragastric route (IG) as an enteral solution. Blood samples were collected from 0 to 48 hours after IG drug administration. Plasma concentrations of metformin and sitagliptin were measured using high performance liquid chromatography methods. The t½λz for metformin was 2.9 hours and for sitagliptin 21 hours. The Cmax was 442 ± 84 mg/L within 0.9 hours for metformin and 94 ± 14 mg/L within 1.3 hours for sitagliptin. No adverse effects were observed, and the combination of metformin and sitagliptin was well tolerated. Therefore, these results suggest that metformin plus sitagliptin might be a combination to consider in horses with ID. Additional studies are needed to establish the effectiveness and tolerance in equids affected by endocrine disorders.

Objectives The pharmacokinetics of praziquantel and pyrantel pamoate has never been reported in cats. The present study was designed to establish the plasma concentration–time profile and to derive pharmacokinetic data for a combined formulation of praziquantel and pyrantel in cats, after a single, oral administration. Methods Twenty-two clinically healthy adult cats were used, each receiving a single oral dose of praziquantel (8.5 mg/kg) and pyrantel (100 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected at regular time points up to 48 h post-dosing. Plasma concentrations of praziquantel and pyrantel were measured using a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry–high-throughput screening method. Results Clinical examination of all cats did not reveal any side effects after oral administration of these medications. The terminal half-life for praziquantel and pyrantel was 1.07 and 1.36 h, respectively. Praziquantel peak concentration (Cmax) was 1140 μg/ml, reached at 1.22 h. The plasma concentrations of pyrantel after oral administration were low with a mean Cmax of 0.11 μg/ml, reached at a Tmax of 1.91 h. Pyrantel showed a very limited absorption as pamoate salt, suggesting permanence and efficacy inside the gastrointestinal tract, where the adult stages of most parasitic nematodes reside. Conclusions and relevance Pyrantel showed a very limited absorption as pamoate salt. Praziquantel was rapidly absorbed following oral administration and the concentrations achieved suggest that praziquantel could be an effective and safe medication in cats. Although some resistance problems are arising as a result of their long use, these anthelminthic products can still play a major role in parasitic control, especially in geographical areas where the high cost of newer treatments or necessity of parenteral administration could decrease the number of treated animals.

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and mutant prevention concentration (MPC) of veterinary fluoroquinolones as enrofloxacin, its metabolite ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, difloxacin and marbofloxacin against

Summary Reasons for performing study: Danofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone developed for veterinary medicine showing an excellent activity. However, danofloxacin pharmacokinetics profile have not been studied in horses previously. Objective: To study the pharmacokinetics following i.v., i.m. and intragastric (i.g.) administration of 1.25 mg/kg bwt danofloxacin to 6 healthy horses. Methods: A cross-over design was used in 3 phases (2 times 2 × 2), with 2 washout periods of 15 days (n = 6). Danofloxacin (18%) was administered by i.v. and i.m. routes at single doses of 1.25 mg/kg bwt. For i.g. administration an oral solution was prepared and administered via nasogastric tube. Danofloxacin concentrations were determined by HPLC assay with fluorescence detection. Tolerability at the the site of i.m. injection was monitored by creatine kinase (CK) activity. Results: Danofloxacin plasma concentration vs. time data after i.v. and i.g. administration could best be described by a 2-compartment open model. The disposition of i.m. administered danofloxacin was best described by a one-compartment model. The terminal half-lives for i.v., i.m. and i.g. routes were 6.31, 5.36 and 4.74 h, respectively. Clearance value after i.v. dosing was 0.34 l/kg bwt/h. After i.m. administration, absolute bioavailability was mean ± s.d. 88.48 ± 11.10% and Cmax was 0.35 ± 0.05 mg/l. After i.g. administration, absolute bioavailability was 22.36 ± 6.84% and Cmax 0.21 ± 0.07 mg/l. CK activity following i.m. dosing increased 3-fold over pre-injection levels 12 h after dosing and subsequently approached (but did not reach) normal values at 72 h post dose. Conclusions: Systemic danofloxacin exposure achieved in horses following i.m. administration was consistent with the predicted blood levels needed for a positive therapeutic outcome for many equine infections. Conversely, danofloxacin utility by the i.g. route was limited by low bioavailability. Tolerability associated with i.m. administration was high. Potential relevance: Pharmacokinetics, blood levels and good tolerability of i.v. and i.m. administration of danofloxacin in horses indicates that it is likely to be effective for treating sensitive bacterial infections.

The single-dose disposition kinetics of the antibiotic danofloxacin were determined in clinically normal loggerhead turtles (n = 6) after intravenous (IV), subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM) administration of 6 mg kg(-1) bodyweight. Danofloxacin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The concentration-time data were analyzed by non-compartmental kinetic methods. Steady-state volume of distribution, and total body clearance of danofloxacin after IV administration were estimated to be 1.02 +/- 0.17 1 kg(-1) and 0.11 +/- 0.01 1 h(-1) kg(-1), respectively. Following IM and SC administration, danofloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentrations of 10.25 +/- 4.59 and 10.35 +/- 4.45 mg l(-1) at 1.20 +/- 0.52 and 1.46 +/- 0.48 h, respectively. The absolute bioavailabilities after SC and IM routes were 98.72 +/- 11.73 and 104.81 +/- 14.97%, respectively. Danofloxacin shows a favourable pharmacokinetic profile in loggerhead turtles reflected by parameters such as a long half-life and a high bioavailability following a single dose of 6 mg kg(-1) by IM and SC routes; thus, it is likely that this treatment will be effective in loggerhead turtles with bacterial infections.

The pharmacokinetics of difloxacin were studied following intravenous (IV), subcutaneous (SC) and oral administration of 5mg/kg to healthy white New Zealand rabbits (n = 6). Difloxacin concentrations were determined by HPLC assay with fluorescence detection. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) assay of difloxacin against different strains of S. aureus from different european countries was performed in order to compute the main pharmacodynamic surrogate markers. The plasma difloxacin clearance (Cl) for the IV route was (mean +/- SD) 0.41 +/- 0.05 L/h kg. The steady-state volume of distribution (V(ss)) was 1.95 +/- 0.17 L/kg. The terminal half-life [Formula: see text] was (mean+/-SD) 4.19+/-0.34 h, 7.53 +/- 1.32 h and 8.00 +/- 0.45 h after IV, IM and oral, respectively. From this data, it seems that a 5 mg/kg dose difloxacin would be effective by SC and oral routes in rabbits against bacterial isolates with MIC0.1 microg/mL.

The single-dose disposition kinetics of orbifloxacin were determined in clinically normal rabbits (n=6) after intravenous (i.v.), subcutaneous (s.c.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration of 5 mg/kg bodyweight. Orbifloxacin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) assay of orbifloxacin against 30 strains of Staphylococcus aureus from several European countries was performed in order to compute pharmacodynamic surrogate markers. The concentration-time data were analysed by compartmental and noncompartmental kinetic methods. Steady-state volume of distribution (V(ss)) and total body clearance (Cl) of orbifloxacin after i.v. administration were estimated to be 1.71+/-0.38 L/kg and 0.91+/-0.20 L/h x kg, respectively. Following s.c. and i.m. administration orbifloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentrations of 2.95+/-0.82 and 3.24+/-1.33 mg/L at 0.67+/-0.20 and 0.65+/-0.12 h, respectively. The absolute bio-availabilities after s.c. and i.m. routes were 110.67+/-11.02% and 109.87+/-8.36%, respectively. Orbifloxacin showed a favourable pharmacokinetic profile in rabbits. However, on account of the low AUC/MIC and C(max)/MIC indices obtained, its use by i.m. and s.c. routes against the S. aureus strains assayed in this study cannot be recommended given the risk of selection of resistant populations.

The pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin was studied following intramuscular administration of 5mg/kg to healthy lactating goats (n=6). Moxifloxacin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography assay with fluorescence detection. The moxifloxacin plasma concentration versus time data could best be described by a one-compartment model. The plasma moxifloxacin clearance (Cl) was mean standard deviation (+/-SD) 0.49+/-0.14 L/h kg. The apparent volume of distribution (V(z)) was 0.83+/-0.20 L/kg. The terminal half-life (t(1/2 lambda z)) was 1.31+/-0.64 h. Moxifloxacin penetration from blood to milk was rapid and the high AUC(milk)/AUC(plasma) and C(max-milk)/C(max-plasma) ratios reached indicated a good penetration of moxifloxacin into the milk.

Introduction Intrathecal administration of methotrexate, cytarabine, and hydrocortisone is commonly used to treat and prevent central nervous system involvement in leukemias and lymphomas. The use of intrathecal solutions with pH and osmolarity values close to physiologic range of CSF (pH 7.31–7.37, osmolarity 281–306 mOsm/kg) and standardization of the methotrexate, cytarabine, and hydrocortisone doses in children and adults based on age is highly recommended. Stability studies of standardized intrathecal mixtures under these conditions have not yet been published. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical stabilities of four standardized mixtures of methotrexate, cytarabine, and hydrocortisone stored at 2–8℃ and 25℃ up to 7 days after preparation. Methods Four different standardized intrathecal mixtures were prepared and stored at 2–8℃ and 25℃ and protected from light. Triplicate samples were taken at different times and precipitation, appearance, color, pH, and osmolarity were analyzed. Methotrexate, cytarabine, and hydrocortisone concentrations were measured using a modified high-performance liquid chromatography method. Results No variation greater than 10% of the initial concentration of methotrexate, cytarabine, and hydrocortisone was observed in any of the four standardized mixtures for the 7 days of study when stored at 2–8℃ and 25℃ and protected from light. The osmolarity of the four preparations was within the physiologic range of CSF for 7 days at both 2–8℃ and 25℃. The pH values close to the physiologic range of CSF were stable for 48 h at 25℃ and for 120 h at 2–8℃. Conclusions Triple intrathecal standardized preparations of methotrexate, cytarabine, and hydrocortisone sodium phosphate are physically and chemically stable at 25℃ for 48 h and at 2–8℃ for 5 days.

The pharmacokinetics (PK) of moxifloxacin in healthy white New Zealand rabbits was studied following intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) administration routes as well as a SC long-acting poloxamer 407 gel formulation (SC-P407). Moxifloxacin concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography assay with fluorescence detection. Mean half-life for IV, SC and SC-P407 routes was 2.15, 5.41 and 11.09 h. Clearance value after IV dosing was 0.78 l/kg/h. After SC administration, the mean absolute bioavailability was 117% and the C(max) was 1.61 +/- 0.49 mg/l. After SC-P407 administration, the bioavailability was 44% and the C(max) 1.83 was +/-0.62 mg/l. No adverse effects were observed in any of the rabbits following IV, SC and SC-P407 administration of moxifloxacin. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of moxifloxacin against different strains of Staphylococcus aureus from different european countries were used to compute the main pharmacodynamic (PD) surrogate markers of efficacy. The high tolerability of this SC-P407 formulation and the favourable PK behaviour such as the long half-life, acceptable bioavailability and excellent PK-PD ratios achieved indicate that it is likely to be effective in rabbits.

The pharmacokinetics of a 2:1 ampicillin-sulbactam combination were studied in 6 sheep, after intravenous and intramuscular injection at a single dose rate of 20 mg/kg body weight (13.33 mg/kg of sodium ampicillin and 6.67 mg/kg of sodium sulbactam). The drugs were distributed according to an open 2-compartment model after intravenous administration and a onecompartment model with first order absorption after intramuscular administration. The apparent volumes of distribution calculated by the area method of ampicillin and sulbactam were 0.32 ± 0.06 L/kg and 0.42 ± 0.04 L/kg, respectively and the total body clearances were 0.69 ± 0.07 and 0.38 ± 0.03 L/kg-h, respectively. The elimination halflives of ampicillin after intravenous and intramuscular administration were 0.32 ± 0.05 h and 0.75 ± 0.27 h, respectively, whereas for sulbactam the half-lives were 0.74 ± 0.10 h and 0.89 ± 0.16 h, respectively. The bioavailability after intramuscular injection was high and similar in both drugs (72.76 ± 9.65 % for ampicillin and 85.50 ± 8.35% for sulbactam). The mean peak plasma concentrations of ampicillin and sulbactam were reached at similar times (0.25 ± 0.10 h and 0.24 ± 0.08 h, respectively) and peak concentrations were also similar but nonproportional to the dose of both products administered (13.01 + 7.36 mg/L of ampicillin and 10.39 3.95 mg/L of sulbactam). Both drugs had a similar pharmacokinetic behavior after intramuscular administration in sheep. Since the plasma concentrations of sulbactam where consistently higher during the elimination phase of their disposition, consideration could be given to formulating the ampicillinsulbactam combination in a higher than 2:1 ratio.

The pharmacokinetics (PK) of azithromycin after i.v. and i.m. injection at a single dosage of 20 mg/kg bodyweight was studied in sheep. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein until 120 h after dosing for both routes. Plasma concentrations of azithromycin were determined by bioassay. The plasma concentration-time data of azithromycin best fitted a three-compartment model after i.v. administration and a two-compartment model with first-order absorption after i.m. administration. The elimination half-life (t(1/2lambdaz)) was 47.70 +/- 7.49 h after i.v. administration and 61.29 +/- 13.86 h after i.m. administration. Clearance value after i.v. dosing was 0.52 +/- 0.08 L/kg.h. After i.m. administration a peak azithromycin concentration (C(max)) of 1.26 +/- 0.19 mg/L was achieved at 1.24 +/- 0.31 h (t(max)). Area under the curve (AUC) were 38.85 +/- 5.83 mg.h/L and 36.03 +/- 1.52 mg.h/L after i.v. and i.m. administration respectively. Bioavailability obtained after i.m. administration was 94.08 +/- 11.56%. The high tolerability of this i.m. preparation and the favourable PK behaviour such as the long half-life and high bioavailability make azithromycin likely to be effective in sheep.

Introduccion La atorvastatina es un inhibidor de la HMG-CoA reductasa que ha mostrado una gran eficacia en la reduccion de las concentraciones de colesterol y trigliceridos en los pacientes con hiperlipidemia primaria o hiperlipidemia combinada. Cuando se utilizan biomodelos animales de arteriosclerosis con frecuencia se extrapolan erroneamente dosis de humanos a los animales de experimentacion, lo que puede evitarse mediante estudios farmacocineticos previos que permitan disenar regimenes de dosificacion adecuados. Para ello, es preciso disponer de tecnicas que nos permitan detectar el farmaco en cuestion en plasma —en nuestro estudio la atorvastatina en un biomodelo de arteriosclerosis en el pollo— y que la cromatografia liquida de alta resolucion (HPLC) utilizada tenga una buena reproducibilidad y exactitud. Metodos La tecnica utilizada para detectar y cuantificar las concentraciones de atorvastatina en plasma fue la HPLC con detector de fluorescencia. Previamente se realizo un estudio de fluorescencia de la molecula con el fin de determinar las longitudes de onda utilizadas, tanto de excitacion como de emision. Una vez puesta a punto la tecnica, se utilizo para la determinacion de las concentraciones en el estado estacionario del farmaco en el biomodelo de arteriosclerosis en el pollo. Resultados Tras el procesamiento de las muestras correspondientes y la inyeccion en el sistema HPLC, se obtuvo un pico correspondientea la atorvastatina a los 16,3 min. La concentracion de atorvastatina en plasma fue lineal (r > 0,999) en el rango de concentraciones utilizadas. El porcentaje de recuperacion de la tecnica estuvo en el rango comprendido entre el 88 y el 96%. Conclusiones Los datos obtenidos en nuestro estudio han mostrado unos buenos resultados en cuanto a su facilidad, bajo coste y Buena reproducibilidad de la tecnica.

The pharmacokinetics of a 2:1 ampicillin-sulbactam combination after intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) injection at a single dose rate of 20 mg/kg bodyweight (13.33 mg/kg of sodium ampicillin and 6.67 mg/kg of sodium sulbactam) were studied in 10-day-old neonatal calves (n = 10). The plasma concentration-time data of both antibiotics were best fitted to an open two-compartment model after i.v. administration. After i.m. administration, an open two-compartment model demonstrated first order absorption. The apparent volumes of distribution of ampicillin and sulbactam, calculated by the area method, were 0.20+/-0.01 and 0.18+/-0.01 L/kg, respectively, and the total body clearances were 0.51+/-0.03 and 0.21+/-0.01 L/kg h. The elimination half-lives of ampicillin after i.v. and i.m. administration were 0.99+/-0.03 and 1.01+/-0.02 h, respectively, whereas for sulbactam the half-lives were 2.24+/-0.02 and 3.44+/-0.94 h. The bioavailability after i.m. injection was high and similar for both drugs (70.31+/-0.2% for ampicillin and 68.62+/-4.44% for sulbactam). The mean peak plasma concentrations of ampicillin and sulbactam were reached at similar times (0.47+/-0.02 and 0.72+/-0.01 h, respectively) and peak concentrations were also similar but not proportional to the dose administered (17.88+/-0.91 mg/L of ampicillin and 12.92+/-0.79 mg/L of sulbactam). Both drugs had similar pharmacokinetic behaviour after i.m. administration. Since the plasma concentrations of sulbactam were consistently higher during the elimination phase of their disposition, consideration could be given to formulating the ampicillin-sulbactam combination in a ratio higher than 2:1.

Azithromycin is the first of a class of antimicrobial agents designated azalides. The aim of the present study was to investigate the disposition pharmacokinetics of azithromycin in goats and determine its bioavailability. A cross-over study was carried out in two phases separated by 30 days. Azithromycin was administered at a single dose of 20 mg/kg body weight by i.v. and i.m. routes. Plasma concentrations of azithromycin were determined by a modified agar diffusion bioassay. After a single i.v. dose plasma concentrations were best fitted to a three-compartment open model. A two-compartment open model with first-order absorption fitted best after i.m. administration. The values of the pharmacokinetic parameters after i.v. administration were: half-life 32.5 h, apparent volume of distribution at the steady-state 34.5 L/kg, clearance 0.85 L/kg. and mean residence time (MRT) 40.1 h. After i.m. administration half-life of 45.2 h, a MRT of 60.3 h. maximum plasma concentration 0.64 mg/ L and a bioavalability 92.2% were obtained. The pharmacokinetic parameters of azithromycin after i.m. administration, principally its long half-life and high bioavailability, could provide an alternative to the oral route of administration in goats. although more studies are needed to establish a suitable pharmaceutical formulation, propose optimun dosage regimens, investigate clinical efficacy and study the tolerability of repeated doses.

The disposition kinetics of marbofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, after intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) administration was determined in rabbits at a single dose of 2 mg/kg. Plasma concentrations of marbofloxacin were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The concentration-time data were analysed by compartmental and non-compartmental pharmacokinetic methods. Steady-state volume of distribution (V(ss)) and clearance (Cl) of marbofloxacin after i.v. administration were 1.99±0.27 L/kg and 0.42±0.04 L/h kg, respectively. Following i.m. and s.c. administration marbofloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentrations of 2.04±0.32 and 1.64±0.15 mg/L at 0.33±0.16 and 0.50±0.18 h, respectively. The absolute bioavailabilities after i.m. and s.c. routes were 123.30±17.64% and 114.81±12.11%, respectively. From these data (kinetic parameters and absence of adverse reactions) marbofloxacin is likely to be effective in rabbits.

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and mutant prevention concentration (MPC) of veterinary fluoroquinolones as enrofloxacin, its metabolite ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, difloxacin and marbofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus strains (n=24) isolated from milk of sheep and goats affected by clinical mastitis were evaluated. The authors have used the MIC and MPC, as well as the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships in plasma and milk. MIC values were significantly different between drugs, unlike MPC values. Lower MIC values were obtained for danofloxacin and difloxacin, middle and higher values for enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and marbofloxacin. However, differences in MPC values were not found between drugs. At conventional doses, the AUC24/MIC and AUC24/MPC ratios were close to 30–80 hours and 5–30 hours, with exception of danofloxacin, in plasma and milk. The time inside the mutant selection window (TMSW) was close to 3–6 hours for enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and marbofloxacin, near to 8 hours for danofloxacin and 12–22 hours for difloxacin. From these data, the mutant selection window could be higher for danofloxacin and difloxacin compared with the other fluoroquinolones tested. The authors concluded that enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin, at conventional doses, could prevent the selection of bacterial subpopulations of S aureus, unlike danofloxacin and difloxacin, where higher doses could be used.

The antibiotic susceptibility of 32 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the mastitic milk of dairy goats was evaluated. The antibiotics tested were 3 fluoroquinolones that have been developed especially for use in veterinary medicine: danofloxacin, marbofloxacin, and orbifloxacin. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests were performed according to the microdilution broth method. The MIC(90) (concentration at which 90% inhibition is achieved) values obtained were 0.5, 1, and 1 mg/L for danofloxacin, marbofloxacin, and orbifloxacin, respectively. Danofloxacin was the most active fluoroquinolone tested against Staph. aureus strains isolated from milk; however, specific testing is required before using these drugs as therapy for the control of clinical mammary infections in goats.

SUMMARY Background and objective: Moxifloxacin is a new fluorquinolone with broad-spectrum activity. It is suitable for treating peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The objective of this study was to test stability of moxifloxacin in PD solutions stored at different temperatures. Methods: Dialysis solution bags were used at two glucose concentrations; Dianeal PD1 1AE36% and Dianeal PD1 3AE86%. Moxifloxacin solution (2%) was injected into nine 2-L bags of Dianeal PD1 1AE36% and nine bags of Dianeal PD1 3AE86% under aseptic conditions to achieve a nominal concentration of 25 mg/L. Three bags of Dianeal PD1 1AE36% and three bags of Dianeal PD1 3AE86% were stored at each of three temperatures (4, 25 and 37 � C) and the same way for. Duplicate samples (2 mL) were taken at different times and precipitation, cloudiness, colour and pH was analysed. Moxifloxacin concentrations were measured using a modified HPLC method. Results: The mean moxifloxacin concentration in the Dianeal PD1 1AE36% solution remained ‡90% of the initial concentration for 14 days at 4 � C, 7 days at 25 � C and 3 days at 37 � C. For Dianeal PD1 3AE86% moxifloxacin concentrations remained ‡90% for 14 days at 4 � C, 3 days at 25 � C and 12 h at 37 � C. Conclusions: Moxifloxacin shows sufficient stability in both PD bags for use in PD patients.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important pathogenic Staphylococcus species in veterinary medicine. In rabbits, it mainly causes skin infections, pododermatitis and mastitis with subsequent economic losses in industrial rabbit farms (Hermans and others 1999). Fluoroquinolones are antimicrobial drugs which generally have very good activities against a broad spectrum of aerobic bacteria, including Pasteurella species, and mycoplasma (Walker 2000). The main target site for its bactericidal action is the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-gyrase. This enzyme is required for supercoiling of DNA to provide spatial arrangement of DNA in the bacterial cell. Furthermore, fluoroquinolones have other beneficial characteristics such as large volumes of distribution, low plasma protein binding and relatively low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against susceptible target microorganisms (Brown 1996). Marbofloxacin (MAR) and enrofloxacin (ENR), are relatively new synthetic fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drugs which have been developed especially for using in veterinary medicine, and they could be potentially useful in rabbits. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the degree of in vitro activity of MAR and ENR against 27 S aureus strains isolated from rabbits with chronic problems of staphylococcosis in Spain. A total of 27 S aureus strains were isolated from commercial rabbit farms …

The single-dose disposition kinetics of difloxacin were determined in clinically normal lactating goats (n = 6) after intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) administration and subcutaneous administration of a long-acting poloxamer 407 gel formulation (P407). Difloxacin concentrations were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of difloxacin against 14 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mastitic goats’ milk in Spain were determined to compute pharmacodynamic surrogate markers. The concentration-time data were analyzed by compartmental and noncompartmental pharmacokinetic methods. Following SC and P407 administration, difloxacin achieved maximum milk concentrations of 1.34 ± 0.12 and 2.97 ± 1.18 mg/L, respectively, at 4.00 ± 0.00 h (SC) and 3.60 ± 0.89 h (P407) after administration. The absolute bioavailabilities after SC and P407 administration were 81.74 ± 15.60% and 72.58 ± 20.45%, respectively. Difloxacin penetration from the blood into the milk was good and high concentrations were found in milk secretions. From these data, a 15 mg/kg dose of difloxacin P407 would appear to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mastitic goats’ milk with minimum inhibitory concentrations ≤0.25 mg/L.

The single-dose disposition kinetics of difloxacin were determined in clinically normal lactating goats ( n = 6) after subcutaneous administration of a long-acting poloxamer 407 gel formulation with carboxy-methylcellulose (P407-CMC). Difloxacin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The concentration–time data were analysed by non-compartmental kinetic methods. Plasma and milk elimination half-lives after P407-CMC dosing were 35.19 h and 33.93 h, respectively. With this formulation, difloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentrations of 2.67 ± 0.34 mg/L at 2.92 ± 1.20 h and maximum milk concentrations of 2.31 ± 0.35 mg/L at 4.00 ± 0.00 h. The area under the curve (AUC) ratio AUC milk /AUC plasma was 0.89 after P407-CMC administration. It was concluded that a 15 mg/kg dose of difloxacin within P407-CMC would be effective against mastitis pathogens with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ⩽ 0.12 mg/L.

The single-dose disposition kinetics of orbifloxacin were determined in clinically normal rabbits (n=6) after intravenous (i.v.), subcutaneous (s.c.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration of 5 mg/kg bodyweight. Orbifloxacin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) assay of orbifloxacin against 30 strains of Staphylococcus aureus from several European countries was performed in order to compute pharmacodynamic surrogate markers. The concentration-time data were analysed by compartmental and noncompartmental kinetic methods. Steady-state volume of distribution (V(ss)) and total body clearance (Cl) of orbifloxacin after i.v. administration were estimated to be 1.71+/-0.38 L/kg and 0.91+/-0.20 L/h x kg, respectively. Following s.c. and i.m. administration orbifloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentrations of 2.95+/-0.82 and 3.24+/-1.33 mg/L at 0.67+/-0.20 and 0.65+/-0.12 h, respectively. The absolute bio-availabilities after s.c. and i.m. routes were 110.67+/-11.02% and 109.87+/-8.36%, respectively. Orbifloxacin showed a favourable pharmacokinetic profile in rabbits. However, on account of the low AUC/MIC and C(max)/MIC indices obtained, its use by i.m. and s.c. routes against the S. aureus strains assayed in this study cannot be recommended given the risk of selection of resistant populations.

Escudero, E., Ca´rceles, C. M., Fernandez-varon, E., Marin, P., Benchaoui, H.Pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin 18% in lactating sheep and goats. J. vet.Pharmacol. Therap. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2885.2007.00898.xThe pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin administered at 6 mg/kg bodyweight bythe intravenous and subcutaneous (s.c.) routes were determined in sheep andgoats. Milk concentrations were also determined following s.c. administration.Plasma and milk concentrations of danofloxacin were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The plasma concentration–time curveswere analysed by noncompartmental methods. Danofloxacin had a similarlarge volume of distribution at steady state in sheep and goats of 2.19 ± 0.28and 2.43 ± 0.13 L/kg, and a similar body clearance of 0.79 ± 0.15 and0.98 ± 0.13 L/kgAEh, respectively. Following s.c. administration, danofloxacinachieved a similar maximum concentration in sheep and goats of 1.48 ± 1.54and 1.05 ± 0.09 mg/L, respectively at 1.6 h and had a mean residence time of4.93 ± 0.79 and 4.51 ± 0.44 h, respectively. Danofloxacin had an absolutebioavailability of 93.6 ± 13.7% in sheep and 97.0 ± 15.7% in goats and amean absorption time of 2.07 ± 0.75 and 2.01 ± 0.53 h, respectively. Meandanofloxacin concentrations in milk after s.c. administration to sheep wereapproximately 10 times higher than plasma at 12 h postdose and remainedeight times higher at 24 h postdose. In goats, mean concentration ofdanofloxacin in milk were approximately 13 times higher than plasma at12 h postdose and remained four times higher at 24 h postdose. Thus,danofloxacin 18% administered s.c. to lactating ewes and goats at a dose rate of6 mg/kg was characterized by extensive absorption, high systemic availabilityand high distribution into the udder resulting in higher drug concentrationsbeing achieved in milk than in plasma.(Paper received 17 January 2007; accepted for publication 24 July 2007)Dr Elisa Escudero, Departamento de Farmacologi´a, Facultad de Veterinaria, Uni-versidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30.071-Murcia, Spain. E-mail: escu-dero@um.es

The disposition kinetics of moxifloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, after intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) administration was determined in sheep at a single dose of 5 mg/kg. The concentration-time data were analysed by compartmental (after IV dose) and non-compartmental (after IV, IM and SC administration) pharmacokinetic methods. Plasma concentrations of moxifloxacin were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) and clearance (Cl) of moxifloxacin after IV administration were 2.03 ± 0.36 L/kg and 0.39 ± 0.04 L/h kg, respectively. Following IM and SC administration, moxifloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentration of 1.66 ± 0.62 mg/L and 0.90 ± 0.19 mg/L at 2.25 ± 0.88 h and 3.25 ± 1.17 h, respectively. The absolute bioavailabilities after IM and SC routes were 96.12 ± 32.70% and 102.20 ± 23.76%, respectively. From these data (kinetic parameters and absence of adverse reactions) moxifloxacin may be a potentially useful antibiotic in sheep.

The single-dose disposition kinetics of orbifloxacin were determined in clinically normal lactating goats (n = 6) after intravenous, subcutaneous, and intramuscular administration of 2.5 mg of orbifloxacin/kg of body weight. Orbifloxacin concentrations were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. The concentration-time data were analyzed by compartmental and noncompartmental kinetic methods. Steady-state volume of distribution and clearance of orbifloxacin after intravenous administration were 1.13 +/- 0.08 L/kg and 0.40 +/- 0.11 L/h x kg, respectively. Following subcutaneous and intramuscular administration, orbifloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentrations of 1.85 +/- 0.20 and 1.66 +/- 0.14 mg/L at 1.25 +/- 0.22 and 0.87 +/- 0.38 h, respectively. The absolute bioavailabilities after subcutaneous and intramuscular routes were 108.96 +/- 17.61% and 105.01 +/- 15.61%, respectively. Orbifloxacin penetration from the blood into the milk was rapid and showed high levels of concentrations in milk secretion. From this data, orbifloxacin could have success against susceptible mastitis pathogens in goats.

A simple, rapid, and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method is developed for the determination of ibafloxacin in rabbit plasma. Plasma proteins are precipitated with acetonitrile, and after extraction with methylene chloride followed by desecation, ibafloxacin is determined by reversed-phase chromatography with fluorescence detection exciting at 330 nm and emission at 368 nm. Peaks corresponding to ibafloxacin and the internal standard (salycilic acid) are obtained at 9.8 and 5.2 min, respectively. The method is validated for a limit of quantitation of 10 ng/mL. The intraday relative standard deviation ranges from 4.78-7.15%, and the interday precision ranges from 1.32-4.03%. The method shows linearity for the two calibration curves used (10-100 ng/mL and 100-2000 ng/mL). The procedure described is applied successfully to a pharmacokinetics study of ibafloxacin in rabbits.

The single-dose disposition kinetics of orbifloxacin were determined in clinically normal lactating goats (n = 6) after intravenous, subcutaneous, and intramuscular administration of 2.5 mg of orbifloxacin/kg of body weight. Orbifloxacin concentrations were determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. The concentration-time data were analyzed by compartmental and noncompartmental kinetic methods. Steady-state volume of distribution and clearance of orbifloxacin after intravenous administration were 1.13 ± 0.08 L/kg and 0.40 ± 0.11 L/hkg, respectively. Following subcutaneous and intramuscular administration, orbifloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentrations of 1.85 ± 0.20 and 1.66 ± 0.14 mg/L at 1.25 ± 0.22 and 0.87 ± 0.38 h, respectively. The absolute bioavailabilities after subcutaneous and intramuscular routes were 108.96 ± 17.61% and 105.01 ± 15.61%, respectively. Orbifloxacin penetration from the blood into the milk was rapid and showed high levels of concentrations in milk secretion. From this data, orbifloxacin could have success against susceptible mastitis pathogens in goats.

The pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin was studied following intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of 6 mg/kg to healthy rabbits. Danofloxacin concentration were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography assay with fluorescence detection. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) assay of danofloxacin against 30 strains of Staphylococcus aureus from several European countries was performed in order to compute pharmacodynamic surrogate markers. The danofloxacin plasma concentration versus time data after i.v. administration could best be described by a two-compartment open model. The disposition of i.m. and subcutaneously administered danofloxacin was best described by a one-compartment model. The terminal half-life for i.v., i.m. and s.c. routes was 4.88, 6.70 and 8.20 h, respectively. Clearance value after i.v. dosing was 0.76 L/kg.h. After i.m. administration, the absolute bioavailability was mean (+/-SD) 102.34 +/- 5.17% and the Cmax was 1.87 mg/L. After s.c. administration, the absolute bioavailability was mean (+/-SD) 96.44 +/- 5.95% and the Cmax was 1.79 mg/L. Danofloxacin shows a favourable pharmacokinetics profile in rabbits reflected by parameters such as a long half-life and a high bioavailability. However, in consideration of the low AUC/MIC indices obtained, its use by i.m. and s.c. route against the S. aureus strains assayed in this study cannot be recommended given the risk for selection of first mutant subpopulations.

Moxifloxacin is a new fluorquinolone with broad-spectrum activity. It is suitable for treating peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The objective of this study was to test stability of moxifloxacin in PD solutions stored at different temperatures.Dialysis solution bags were used at two glucose concentrations; Dianeal PD1 1.36% and Dianeal PD1 3.86%. Moxifloxacin solution (2%) was injected into nine 2-L bags of Dianeal PD1 1.36% and nine bags of Dianeal PD1 3.86% under aseptic conditions to achieve a nominal concentration of 25 mg/L. Three bags of Dianeal PD1 1.36% and three bags of Dianeal PD1 3.86% were stored at each of three temperatures (4, 25 and 37 degrees C) and the same way for. Duplicate samples (2 mL) were taken at different times and precipitation, cloudiness, colour and pH was analysed. Moxifloxacin concentrations were measured using a modified HPLC method.The mean moxifloxacin concentration in the Dianeal PD1 1.36% solution remainedor =90% of the initial concentration for 14 days at 4 degrees C, 7 days at 25 degrees C and 3 days at 37 degrees C. For Dianeal PD1 3.86% moxifloxacin concentrations remainedor =90% for 14 days at 4 degrees C, 3 days at 25 degrees C and 12 h at 37 degrees C.Moxifloxacin shows sufficient stability in both PD bags for use in PD patients.

The disposition kinetics of difloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, after intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) administration were determined in sheep at a single dose of 5mg/kg. The concentration-time data were analysed by compartmental (after IV dose) and non-compartmental pharmacokinetics method (after IV, IM and SC administration). Plasma concentrations of difloxacin were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Steady-state volume of distribution (V(ss)) and clearance (Cl) of difloxacin after IV administration were 1.68+/-0.21L/kg and 0.21+/-0.03L/hkg, respectively. Following IM and SC administration difloxacin achieved maximum plasma concentration of 1.89+/-0.55 and 1.39+/-0.14mg/L at 2.42+/-1.28 and 5.33+/-1.03h, respectively. The absolute bioavailabilities after IM and SC routes were 99.92+/-26.50 and 82.35+/-25.65%, respectively. Based on these kinetic parameters, difloxacin is likely to be effective in sheep.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs) and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM-CSFs) are endogenous cytokines that regulate granulocyte colonies and play a major role in the stimulation of granulopoiesis (neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils) and in the regulation of microbicidal functions. There are numerous pathological conditions in which neutrophils are decreased, the most common being neutropenia associated with cancer chemotherapy, which increases the risk of serious microbial infections developing with the potential for high morbidity and mortality. New methods in molecular biology have led to the identification and cloning of CSF genes and biopharmaceutical production. Since then, CSFs have been widely used for the prevention and treatment of neutropenia associated with cancer chemotherapy, for mobilising haematopoietic cell precursors, and for other neutropenia-related pathologies. This review focuses on the use of CSFs within both human and veterinary medicine. Clinical applications, pharmacology, tolerability and the potential role of these factors in veterinary medicine are considered.

Tissue disposition of azithromycin after intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection at a single dose rate of 10mg/kg bodyweight were investigated in rabbits using a modified agar diffusion bioassay for determining tissue concentrations. The pharmacokinetic behaviour of azithromycin was characterized by low and sustained plasma concentrations but high and persistent tissue concentrations. Kinetic parameters indicated a high retention of the drug in peripheral compartments. The plasma half-lives after IV and IM administrations were similar being 21.8h and 23.1h, respectively, while the half-lives obtained in tissues after IV and IM administration were at least 1.4 and 1.9 times longer than in plasma, respectively. The highest tissue concentrations were found in bile, liver and spleen whereas the lowest ones were found in skeletal muscle (although they were higher than those in plasma). From the results of the single administration in this study an IM dosage regimen can be proposed that achieves minimum concentrations over 2mg/L in rabbits: three doses of 4-5mg/kg/day would provide suitable therapeutic concentrations in pulmonary tissues over seven days.

The pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin was studied following intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral dose of 5 mg/kg to healthy white New Zealand rabbits (n = 6). Moxifloxacin concentrations were determined by HPLC assay with fluorescence detection. The moxifloxacin plasma concentration vs. time data after i.v. administration could best be described by a two-compartment open model. The disposition of i.m. and orally administered moxifloxacin was best described by a one-compartment model. The plasma moxifloxacin clearance (Cl) for the i.v route was (mean +/- SD) 0.80 +/- 0.02 L/h.kg. The steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) was 1.95 +/- 0.18 L/kg. The terminal half-life (t(1/2lambdaz)) was (mean +/- SD) 1.84 +/- 0.12, 2.09 +/- 0.05 and 2.15 +/- 0.07 h after i.v., i.m. and oral, respectively. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays of moxifloxacin against different strains of S. aureus were performed in order to compute pharmacodynamic surrogate markers. From these data, it is concluded that a 5 mg/kg dose moxifloxacin would be effective by i.m. and oral routes in rabbits against bacterial isolates with MIC < or = 0.06 microg/mL and possibly for MIC < or = 0.12 microg/mL, but in the latter case a higher dose would be required.

The pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin was studied following intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) administration of 5 mg/kg to healthy lactating goats (n = 6). Moxifloxacin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography assay with fluorescence detection. The moxifloxacin plasma concentration versus time data after IV administration could best be described by a two compartment open model. The disposition of SC administered moxifloxacin was best described by a one-compartment model. The plasma moxifloxacin clearance (Cl) for the IV route was 0.43 +/- 0.02 L/kg (mean +/- SE). The steady-state volume of distribution (Vss) was 0.79 +/- 0.08 L/kg. The terminal half-life (t1/2lambdaz) was 1.94 +/- 0.41 and 2.98 +/- 0.48 h after IV and SC administration, respectively. The absolute bioavailability was 96.87 +/- 10.27% after SC administration. Moxifloxacin penetration from blood to milk was quick for both routes of administration and the high AUCmilk/AUCplasma and Cmax-milk/Cmax-plasma ratios reached indicated a wide penetration of moxifloxacin into the milk. From these data, it appears that a 5 mg/kg SC dose of moxifloxacin would be effective in lactating goats against bacterial isolates with MIC < or = 0.20 microg/mL in plasma and MIC < or = 0.40 microg/mL in milk.

Objective—To investigate the disposition kinetics of ampicillin and sulbactam after IV and IM administration of an ampicillin-sulbactam (2:1) preparation and determine the bioavailability of the combined preparation after IM administration in turkeys. Animals—10 healthy large white turkeys. Procedure—In a crossover study, turkeys were administered the combined preparation IV (20 mg/kg) and IM (30 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected before and at intervals after drug administrations. Plasma ampicillin and sulbactam concentrations were measured by use of high-performance liquid chromatography; plasma concentration-time curves were analyzed via compartmental pharmacokinetics and noncompartmental methods. Results—The drugs were distributed according to an open 2-compartment model after IV administration and a 1-compartment model (first-order absorption) after IM administration. For ampicillin and sulbactam, the apparent volumes of distribution were 0.75 ± 0.11 L/kg and 0.74 ± 0.10 L/kg, respectively, and the total body clearances were 0.67 ± 0.07 L·kg–1·h–1 and 0.56 ± 0.06 L·kg–1·h–1, respectively. The elimination half-lives of ampicillin after IV and IM administration were 0.78 ± 0.12 hours and 0.89 ± 0.17 hours, respectively, whereas the corresponding half-lives of sulbactam were 0.91 ± 0.12 hours and 0.99 ± 0.16 hours, respectively. Bioavailability after IM injection was 58.87 ± 7.65% for ampicillin and 53.75 ± 5.35% for sulbactam. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that a regimen of loading and maintenance doses of 300 mg of the ampicillin-sulbactam (2:1) combination/kg every 8 hours could be clinically useful in turkeys. This dosage regimen maintained plasma concentrations of ampicillin > 0.45 µg/mL in turkeys. (Am J Vet Res 2004;65:1658–1663)

Background Bacterial pneumonia in goats is usually caused by Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida. Another important infection disease in lactating goats is intramammary infection producing mastitis, usually associated with coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. However, treatment of bacterial pneumonia in goats not affected by mastitis problems should be restricted to antimicrobials with scant penetration to milk in order to avoid long withdrawal times. Ceftiofur is a third-generation cephalosporin antimicrobial with activity against various gram-positive and gram-negative, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria encountered by domestic animals. The objectives of the present study were to establish the serum concentration–time profile for ceftiofur in lactating goats after intravenous, subcutaneous and a SC-long-acting ceftiofur formulation; to determine ceftiofur penetration into milk; to determine in vitro and ex vivo activity of ceftiofur establishing MIC, MBC, MPC and time-kill profiles against field strains of M. haemolytica and finally to calculate the main surrogate markers of efficacy. Results The pharmacokinetics studies revealed an optimal PK properties for the SC-LA formulation tested. Ceftiofur was well absorbed following SC and SC-LA administration, with absolute bioavailabilities (F) of 85.16 and 84.43 %, respectively. After ceftiofur analysis from milk samples, no concentrations were found at any sampling time. The MIC, MBC and MPC data of ceftiofur against five M. haemolytica strains isolated from goats affected by pneumonia were tested showing excelent sensitivity of ceftiofur against this pathogen. For PK-PD analysis, ratios were calculated suggesting a high level of bacterial kill against the five strains of M. haemolytica tested. Conclusions The systemic ceftiofur exposure achieved in lactating goats following IV, SC and especially with the SC-LA administration is consistent with the predicted PK-PD ratios needed for a positive therapeutic outcome for M. haemolytica. Subcutaneous administration of the long-acting formulation showed safety and tolerance for all the animals used. Ceftiofur concentrations exceeded the MIC and MBC for up to 72 h and MPC for up 32 h in serum. Thus, this drug could be effective in treating infectious diseases of goats caused by M. haemolytica at a dose of 6 mg/kg with the SC-LA formulation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-016-0863-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.