Pharmacokinetics after intravenous and oral administration of enrofloxacin in sheep

OBJECTIVE: To compare pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin administered IV and in various oral preparations to ewes. ANIMALS: 5 mature Katahdin ewes weighing 42 to 50 kg. PROCEDURE: Ewes received 4 single-dose treatments of enrofloxacin in a nonrandomized crossover design followed by a multiple-dose oral regimen. Single-dose treatments consisted of an IV bolus of enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg), an oral drench (10 mg/kg) made from crushed enrofloxacin tablets, oral administration in feed (10 mg/kg; mixture of crushed enrofloxacin tablets and grain), and another type of oral administration in feed (10 mg/kg; mixture of enrofloxacin solution and grain). The multiple-dose regimen consisted of feeding a mixture of enrofloxacin solution and grain (10 mg/kg, q 24 h, for 7 days). Plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were measured by use of high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Harmonic mean half-life for oral administration was 14.80, 10.80, and 13.07 hours, respectively, for the oral drench, crushed tablets in grain, and enrofloxacin solution in grain. Oral bioavailability for the oral drench, crushed tablets in grain, and enrofloxacin in grain was 4789, 98.07, and 94.60%, respectively, and median maximum concentration (Cmax) was 1.61, 2.69, and 2.26 microg/ml, respectively. Median Cmax of the multiple-dose regimen was 2.99 microg/ml. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Enrofloxacin administered orally to sheep has a prolonged half-life and high oral bioavailability. Oral administration at 10 mg/kg, q 24 h, was sufficient to achieve a plasma concentration of 8 to 10 times the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of any microorganism with an MIC < or = 0.29 microg/ml.     

Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin after intravenous and intramuscular administration in Angora goats.

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of enrofloxacin were determined after single intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administrations of 5 mg/kg body weight (BW) to 5 healthy adult Angora goats. Plasma enrofloxacin concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetics were best described by a 2-compartment open model. The elimination half-life and volume of distribution after IV and IM administrations were similar (t1/2beta, 4.0 to 4.7 h and Vd(ss),1.2 to 1.5 L/kg, respectively). Enrofloxacin was rapidly (t1/2a, 0.25 h) and almost completely absorbed (F, 90%) after IM administration. Mean plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin at 24 h after IV and IM administration (0.07 and 0.09 microg/mL, respectively) were higher than the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for most pathogens. In conclusion, once-daily IV and IM administration of enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg BW) in Angora goats may be useful in treatment of infectious diseases caused by sensitive pathogens.     

Plasma and interstitial fluid pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin, its metabolite ciprofloxacin, and marbofloxacin after oral administration and a constant rate intravenous infusion in dogs

Enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin were administered to six healthy dogs in separate crossover experiments as a single oral dose (5 mg/kg) and as a constant rate IV infusion (1.24 and 0.12 mg/h.kg, respectively) following a loading dose (4.47 and 2 mg/kg, respectively) to achieve a steady-state concentration of approximately 1 microg/mL for 8 h. Interstitial fluid (ISF) was collected with an in vivo ultrafiltration device at the same time period as plasma to measure protein unbound drug concentrations at the tissue site and assess the dynamics of drug distribution. Plasma and ISF were analyzed for enrofloxacin, its active metabolite ciprofloxacin, and for marbofloxacin by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Lipophilicity and protein binding of enrofloxacin were higher than for marbofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Compared to enrofloxacin, marbofloxacin had a longer half-life, higher Cmax, and larger AUC(0-infinity) in plasma and ISF after oral administration. Establishing steady state allowed an assessment of the dynamics of drug concentrations between plasma and ISF. The ISF and plasma-unbound concentrations were similar during the steady-state period despite differences in lipophilicity and pharmacokinetic parameters of the drugs.     

Intramuscular and oral disposition of enrofloxacin in African grey parrots following single and multiple doses

The intramuscular (IM) and oral (PO) disposition of enrofloxacin, a new fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drug, were evaluated in African grey parrots. Peak enrofloxacin concentration, mean (+/- SEM), at 1 h following a 15-mg/kg IM dose was 3.87 (+/- 0.27) micrograms/ml and declined with a mean residence time of 3.05 h. Peak enrofloxacin plasma concentrations at 2 to 4 h following oral doses of 3, 15, and 30 mg/kg were 0.31 (+/- 0.11), 1.12 (+/- 0.11), and 1.69 (+/- 0.23) micrograms/ml, respectively, and declined with a mean residence time of 3.44-5.28 h. The relative bioavailability of the 15-mg/kg oral dose was 48%. An equipotent metabolite, ciprofloxacin, was detected in plasma at concentrations ranging from 3 to 78% of those of enrofloxacin. Enrofloxacin concentrations and area under the curve were significantly lower, the mean residence time significantly shorter and the ciprofloxacin/enrofloxacin ratios higher, following 10 days of oral treatment at 30 mg/kg every 12 h. Following 10 days of treatment, no significant biochemical changes were noted; however, polydipsia and polyuria occurred in treated birds, but resolved quickly upon discontinuation of enrofloxacin administration. These studies indicate that a rational starting dose for enrofloxacin in psittacines (7.5-30 mg/kg BID) should be higher than those in other domestic animals.     

Comparative study of the plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue concentrations of danofloxacin and enrofloxacin in broiler chickens

The plasma pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin and enrofloxacin in broiler chickens was investigated following single intravenous (i.v.) or oral administration (p.o.) and the steady-state plasma and tissue concentrations of both drugs were investigated after continuous administration via the drinking water. The following dosages approved for the treatment of chickens were used: danofloxacin 5 mg/kg and enrofloxacin 10 mg/kg of body weight. Concentrations of danofloxacin and enrofloxacin including its metabolite ciprofloxacin were determined in plasma and eight tissues by specific and sensitive high performance liquid chromatography methods. Pharmacokinetic parameter values for both application routes calculated by noncompartmental methods were similar for danofloxacin compared to enrofloxacin with respect to elimination half-life (t1/2: approximately 6-7 h), mean residence time (MRT; 6-9 h) and mean absorption time (MAT; 1.44 vs. 1.20 h). However, values were twofold higher for body clearance (ClB; 24 vs. 10 mL/min. kg) and volume of distribution at steady state (VdSS; 10 vs. 4 L/kg). Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) after oral administration was 0.5 and 1.9 micrograms/mL for danofloxacin and enrofloxacin, respectively, occurring at 1.5 h for both drugs. Bioavailability (F) was high: 99% for danofloxacin and 89% for enrofloxacin. Steady-state plasma concentrations (mean +/- SD) following administration via the drinking water were fourfold higher for enrofloxacin (0.52 +/- 0.16 microgram/mL) compared to danofloxacin (0.12 +/- 0.01 microgram/mL). The steady-state AUC0-24 h values of 12.48 and 2.88 micrograms.h/mL, respectively, derived from these plasma concentrations are comparable with corresponding area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) values after single oral administration. For both drugs, tissue concentrations markedly exceeded plasma concentrations, e.g. in the target lung, tissue concentrations of 0.31 +/- 0.07 microgram/g for danofloxacin and 0.88 +/- 0.24 microgram/g for enrofloxacin were detected. Taking into account the similar in vitro activity of danofloxacin and enrofloxacin against important pathogens in chickens, a higher therapeutic efficacy of water medication for enrofloxacin compared to danofloxacin can be expected when given at the approved dosages.     

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of enrofloxacin administered orally to healthy dogs.

Enrofloxacin was administered orally to 6 healthy dogs at dosages of approximately 2.75, 5.5, and 11 mg/kg of body weight, every 12 hours for 4 days, with a 4-week interval between dosage regimens. Serum and tissue cage fluid (TCF) concentrations of enrofloxacin were measured after the first and seventh treatments. The mean peak serum concentration occurred between 1 and 2.5 hours after dosing. Peak serum concentrations increased with increases in dosage. For each dosage regimen, there was an accumulation of enrofloxacin between the first and seventh treatment, as demonstrated by a significant (P = 0.001) increase in peak serum concentrations. The serum elimination half-life increased from 3.39 hours for the 2.75 mg/kg dosage to 4.94 hours for the 11 mg/kg dosage. Enrofloxacin accumulated slowly into TCF, with peak concentrations being approximately 58% of those of serum. The time of peak TCF concentrations occurred between 3.8 hours and 5.9 hours after drug administration, depending on the dosage and whether it was after single or multiple administrations. Compared with serum concentrations (area under the curve TCF/area under the curve serum), the percentage of enrofloxacin penetration into TCF was 85% at a dosage of 2.75 mg/kg, 83% at a dosage of 5.5 mg/kg, and 88% at a dosage of 11 mg/kg. All 3 dosage regimens of enrofloxacin induced continuous serum and TCF concentrations greater than the minimal concentration required to inhibit 90% (MIC90) of the aerobic and facultative anaerobic clinical isolates tested, except Pseudomonas aeruginosa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Distribution of enrofloxacin and its active metabolite, using an in vivo ultrafiltration sampling technique after the injection of enrofloxacin to pigs

The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics (PK) of enrofloxacin in pigs and compare to the tissue interstitial fluid (ISF). Six healthy, young pigs were administered 7.5 mg/kg enrofloxacin subcutaneously (SC). Blood and ISF samples were collected from preplaced intravenous catheters and ultrafiltration sampling probes placed in three different tissue sites (intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intrapleural). Enrofloxacin concentrations were measured using high-pressure liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, PK parameters were analyzed using a one-compartment model, and protein binding was determined using a microcentrifugation system. Concentrations of the active metabolite ciprofloxacin were negligible. The mean ± SD enrofloxacin plasma half-life, volume of distribution, clearance, and peak concentration were 26.6 ± 6.2 h (harmonic mean), 6.4 ± 1.2 L/kg, 0.18 ± 0.08 L/kg/h, and 1.1 ± 0.3 μg/mL, respectively. The half-life of enrofloxacin from the tissues was 23.6 h, and the maximum concentration was 1.26 μg/mL. Tissue penetration, as measured by a ratio of area-under-the-curve (AUC), was 139% (± 69%). Plasma protein binding was 31.1% and 37.13% for high and low concentrations, respectively. This study demonstrated that the concentration of biologically active enrofloxacin in tissues exceeds the concentration predicted by the unbound fraction of enrofloxacin in pig plasma. At a dose of 7.5 mg/kg SC, the high tissue concentrations and long half-life produce an AUC/MIC ratio sufficient for the pathogens that cause respiratory infections in pigs.     

Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin after single-dose oral and intravenous administration in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis).

The pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin administered orally and i.v. to American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) at 5 mg/kg was determined. Plasma levels of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography and the resulting concentration versus time curve analyzed using compartmental modeling techniques for the i.v. data and noncompartmental modeling techniques for the oral data. A two-compartment model best represented the i.v. data. Intravenous administration of enrofloxacin resulted in an extrapolated mean plasma concentration of 4.19 +/- 4.23 microg/ml at time zero, with average plasma drug levels remaining above 1.0 microg/ml for an average of 36 hr. Plasma volume of distribution for i.v. enrofloxacin was 1.88 +/- 0.96 L/kg, with a harmonic mean elimination half-life of 21.05 hr and mean total body clearance rate of 0.047 +/- 0.021 L/hr/kg. Plasma levels of p.o. enrofloxacin remained below 1.0 microg/ml in all test animals, and average concentrations ranged from 0.08 to 0.50 microg/ml throughout the sampling period. Oral administration of enrofloxacin achieved a mean maximum plasma concentration of 0.50 +/- 0.27 microg/ml at 55 +/- 29 hr after administration, with a harmonic mean terminal elimination half-life of 77.73 hr. Minimal levels of ciprofloxacin were detected after both oral and i.v. enrofloxacin administration, with concentrations below minimum inhibitory concentrations for most susceptible organisms. On the basis of the results of this study, enrofloxacin administered to American alligators at 5 mg/kg i.v. q 36 hr is expected to maintain plasma concentrations that approximate the minimum inhibitory concentration for susceptible organisms (0.5 microg/ml). Enrofloxacin administered to American alligators at 5 mg/kg p.o. is not expected to achieve minimum inhibitory values for susceptible organisms.     

Comparative serum pharmacokinetics of the fluoroquinolones enrofloxacin, difloxacin, marbofloxacin, and orbifloxacin in dogs after single oral administration

The pharmacokinetics after oral application of the fluoroquinolones (FQs), enrofloxacin, difloxacin, marbofloxacin and orbifloxacin were compared in independent crossover studies in Beagle dogs. Commercially available tablet formulations were given at common dosage recommended by the manufacturers which were 2.0 mg/kg body weight (bw) for marbofloxacin, 2.5 mg/kg bw for orbifloxacin and 5.0 mg/kg bw for enrofloxacin and difloxacin. Analysis was performed by an agar diffusion assay. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by noncompartmental methods. All FQs were rapidly absorbed and achieved average peak serum concentrations of 1.41, 1.11, 1.47 and 1.37 mug/mL for enrofloxacin, difloxacin, marbofloxacin and orbifloxacin, respectively. Enrofloxacin was eliminated at a terminal half-life (t(1/2)) of 4.1 h, difloxacin at 6.9 h, orbifloxacin at 7.1 h and marbofloxacin at 9.1 h. While the area under the serum concentration-time curve of the 24-h dosing interval (AUC0--24) for marbofloxacin and orbifloxacin were similar (approximately 13 microg x h/mL), enrofloxacin attained an AUC(0-24) of 8.7 and difloxacin of 9.3 microg x h/mL. Because of its favourable pharmacokinetics combined with excellent in vitro activity, enrofloxacin exhibited superior pharmacodynamic predictors of in vivo antimicrobial activity as C(max)/MIC (maximum serum concentration/minimum inhibitory concentration) and AUC(0-24)/MIC (area under the 24-h serum concentration--time curve/minimum inhibitory concentration) compared with other FQs.     

Ocular penetration of intravenously administered enrofloxacin in the horse

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Information on antibiotic concentrations in the equine eye following systemic therapy is limited. Reports that Leptospira spp. are frequently present in the eyes of horses with recurrent uveitis, emphasises a need for studies on ocular concentrations of specific antibiotics. HYPOTHESES: 1) Enrofloxacin, administered i.v. at 7.5 mg/kg bwt q. 24 h, results in aqueous humour concentrations greater than the reported minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for Leptospira pomona. 2) Aqueous humour paracentesis sufficiently disrupts the blood-aqueous humour barrier (BAB) to cause an increase in aqueous humour protein and enrofloxacin concentrations. METHODS: Aqueous humour enrofloxacin and total protein concentrations were determined in 6 healthy, mature horses after i.v. administration of enrofloxacin. Paracentesis was performed on the left eye on Days 3 and 4, 1 h following enrofloxacin administration, to determine enrofloxacin concentrations in healthy eyes and in eyes with mechanical disruption of the BAB. Paracentesis was also performed on the right eye 23 h after enrofloxacin administration. Blood samples were collected from the horses at identical times to determine enrofloxacin aqueous humour:plasma ratios. RESULTS: Mean +/- s.d. enrofloxacin concentration in the aqueous humour 1 h post administration on Day 3 was 0.32 +/- 0.10 mg/l (range 0.18-0.47); and aqueous humour enrofloxacin, total protein and aqueous humour:plasma enrofloxacin ratios were higher on Day 4 than Day 3. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Following disruption of the BAB, enrofloxacin concentrations were above the reported MIC for Leptospira pomona.     

Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin after intravenous,intramuscular and oral administration in houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii)

The in-vitro activity of enrofloxacin against 117 strains of bacteria isolated from bustards was determined. Minimum inhibitory concentrations for 72% of the Proteus spp., E. coli, Salmonella spp. and Klebsiella spp. (n = 61) and for 48% of the Streptococci spp. and Staphylococci spp. (n = 31) were 0.5 μ g/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 76% of Pseudomonas spp. (n = 25) was 2 μg/mL. Fourteen strains were resistant to concentrations 128 μg/mL. The elimination half-lives (t½ elim β) (mean± SEM) of 10 mg/kg enrofloxacin in eight houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata) were 6.80± 0.79, 6.39± 1.49 and 5.63± 0.54 h after oral (p.o.), intramuscular (i.m.) and intravenous (i.v.) administration, respectively. Enrofloxacin was rapidly absorbed from the bustard gastro-intestinal tract and maximum plasma concentrations of 1.84± 0.16 μg/mL were achieved after 0.66± 0.05 h. Maximum plasma concentration after i.m. administration of 10 mg/kg was 2.75± 0.11 μg/mL at 1.72± 0.19 h. Maximum plasma concentration after i.m. administration of 15 mg/kg in two birds was 4.86 μg/mL. Bioavailability was 97.3± 13.7% and 62.7± 11.1% after i.m. and oral administration, respectively. Plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin 0.5 μg/mL were maintained for at least 12 h for all routes at 10 mg/kg and for 24 h after i.m. administration at 15 mg/kg. Plasma enrofloxacin concentrations were monitored during the first 3 days of treatment in five houbara bustards and kori bustards (Ardeotis kori) with bacterial infections receiving a single daily i.m. injection of 10 mg/kg for 3 days. The mean plasma enrofloxacin concentrations in the clinical cases at 27 and 51 h (3.69 and 3.86 μg/mL) and at 48 h (0.70 μg/mL) were significantly higher compared with the 3 h and 24 h time intervals from clinically normal birds. The maximum plasma concentration (C_max)/MIC ratio was ranked i.v. (10/mg/kg) > i.m. (15 mg/kg) > i.m. (10 mg/kg) > oral (10 mg/kg), but it was only higher than 8:1 for i.v and i.m. administrations of enrofloxacin at 10 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg, respectively, against a low MIC (0.5 μg/mL). A dosage regimen of 10 mg/kg repeated every 12 h, or 15 mg/kg repeated every 24 h, would be expected to give blood concentrations above 0.5 μg/mL and hence provide therapeutic response in the bustard against a wide range of bacterial infections.     

Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in goats given enrofloxacin alone and in combination with probenecid.

The pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and its active metabolite ciprofloxacin were investigated in goats given enrofloxacin alone or in combination with probenecid. Enrofloxacin was administered i.m. at a dosage of 5 mg x kg(-1) alone or in conjunction with probenecid (40 mg x kg(-1), i.v.). Blood samples were drawn from the jugular vein at predetermined time intervals after drug injection. Plasma was separated and analysed simultaneously for enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The plasma concentration-time data for both enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were best described by a one-compartment open pharmacokinetic model. The elimination half-life (t(1/2beta)), area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC), volume of distribution (V(d(area))), mean residence time (MRT) and total systemic clearance (Cl(B)) were 1.39 h, 7.82 microg x h x mL, 1.52 L x kg(-1), 2.37 h and 802.9 mL x h(-1) x kg(-1), respectively. Enrofloxacin was metabolized to ciprofloxacin in goats and the ratio between the AUCs of ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin was 0.34. The t(1/2beta), AUC and MRT of ciprofloxacin were 1.82 h, 2.55 microg x h x mL and 3.59 h, respectively. Following combined administration of probenecid and enrofloxacin in goats, the sum of concentrations of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin levels > or = 0.1 microg x mL(-1) persisted in plasma up to 12 h.Co-administration of probenecid did not affect the t(1/2beta), AUC, V(d (area)) and Cl(B) of enrofloxacin, whereas the values of t(1/2beta) (3.85 h), AUC (6.29 microg x h x mL), MRT (7.34 h) and metabolite ratio (0.86) of ciprofloxacin were significantly increased. The sum of both enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin levels was > or = 0.1 microg x mL(-1) and was maintained in plasma up to 8 h in goats after i.m. administration of enrofloxacin alone. These data indicate that a 12 h dosing regime may be appropriate for use in goats.     

Disposition kinetics of doxycycline in chickens naturally infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum

1. The pharmacokinetic properties of doxycycline were determined in healthy chickens and chickens naturally infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum after a single intravenous (i.v.) and oral administration of the drug at 20 mg/kg body weight. Tissue residues of the tested drug after an oral dose of 20 mg/kg given twice daily for 5 consecutive days were also estimated in diseased chickens. 2. The plasma concentrations of doxycycline following single i.v. and oral administration were higher in healthy chickens than in diseased ones. Following i.v. injection, the elimination half-life (t1/2beta), distribution half-life and mean residence time (MRT) were longer in healthy chickens than in diseased birds. The values of total body clearance (ClB) and volume of distribution (Vdss) were larger in healthy chickens than in diseased birds. 3. After single oral administration, the absorption half-life (tl/2ab) and the elimination half-life were longer in normal birds than in diseased ones. The maximum plasma concentration of the drug was higher in normal chickens than in diseased ones. 4. Following repeated oral administration, the concentration of doxycycline in all tissues except muscle was higher than the corresponding concentrations in plasma. Concentrations of doxycycline in different tissues were in the following order: kidney > liver > lung > muscle. The drug was detected in liver and kidney in substantial concentrations on d 5 post administration of the last dose whereas, on d 7, its concentration in all tissues was below the lower limit of the sensitivity of the assay method used. Because of the low sensitivity of the microbiological assay method used in this study, a safe withdrawal time for doxycycline in diseased birds could not be estimated for the meanwhile.     

Pharmacokinetic properties of enrofloxacin in rabbits.

The pharmacokinetic properties of the fluoroquinolone antimicrobial enrofloxacin were studied in New Zealand White rabbits. Four rabbits were each given enrofloxacin as a single 5 mg/kg of body weight dosage by IV, SC, and oral routes over 4 weeks. Serum antimicrobial concentrations were determined for 24 hours after dosing. Compartmental modeling of the IV administration indicated that a 2-compartment open model best described the disposition of enrofloxacin in rabbits. Serum enrofloxacin concentrations after SC and oral dosing were best described by a 1- and 2-compartment model, respectively. Overall elimination half-lives for IV, SC, and oral routes of administration were 2.5, 1.71, and 2.41 hours, respectively. The half-life of absorption for oral dosing was 26 times the half-life of absorption after SC dosing (7.73 hours vs 0.3 hour). The observed time to maximal serum concentration was 0.9 hour after SC dosing and 2.3 hours after oral administration. The observed serum concentrations at these times were 2.07 and 0.452 micrograms/ml, respectively. Mean residence times were 1.55 hours for IV injections, 1.46 hours for SC dosing, and 8.46 hours for oral administration. Enrofloxacin was widely distributed in the rabbit as suggested by the volume of distribution value of 2.12 L/kg calculated from the IV study. The volume of distribution at steady-state was estimated at 0.93 L/kg. Compared with IV administration, bioavailability was 77% after SC dosing and 61% for gastrointestinal absorption. Estimates of predicted average steady-state serum concentrations were 0.359, 0.254, and 0.226 micrograms/ml for IV, SC, and oral administration, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Single-dose intravenous and oral pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin in goral (Nemorrhaedus goral arnouxianus).

This study describes the pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin following oral and i.v. administration to goral (Nemorrhaedus goral arnouxianus). The objective of this study was to expand upon current antimicrobial treatment options available for use in goral by measuring plasma concentrations and examining the pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin in these animals. Two single-dose treatments of enrofloxacin were administered to four goral in a crossover design. Single-dose treatments consisted of administration of injectable enrofloxacin i.v. (5 mg/kg) and enrofloxacin tablets (136 mg chewable tablets) dissolved in a grain slurry and administered p.o. (10 mg/kg). Plasma levels of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin were measured with the use of high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Plasma volume of distribution for i.v. enrofloxacin was 2.15 - 1.01 L/kg, with a mean elimination half-life of 13.3 hr and total body clearance of 0.19+/-0.14 L/kg/hr. The maximum plasma concentration measured for oral enrofloxacin was 2.77 microg/ml, with a mean half-life of 5.2 hr and systemic availability of 14.6%. The area under the plasma concentration over time curve (AUC) for oral enrofloxacin was 21.06 microg/hr/ml. The area under the plasma concentration over time curve generated for oral enrofloxacin in goral yields an area under the plasma concentration over time curve to minimum inhibitory concentration ratio > 100 for many gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial pathogens common to small ruminants. Based on these results, oral enrofloxacin may be considered for further study as a treatment option for susceptible infections in goral.     

Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin administered intravenously and orally to foals

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin administered IV and orally to foals. ANIMALS: 5 clinically normal foals. PROCEDURE: A 2-dose cross-over trial with IV and oral administration was performed. Enrofloxacin was administered once IV (5 mg/kg of body weight) to 1-week-old foals, followed by 1 oral administration (10 mg/kg) after a 7-day washout period. Blood samples were collected for 48 hours after the single dose IV and oral administrations and analyzed for plasma enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin concentrations by use of high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: For IV administration, mean +/- SD total area under the curve (AUC0-infinity) was 48.54 +/- 10.46 microg x h/ml, clearance was 103.72 +/- 0.06 ml/kg/h, half-life (t1/2beta) was 17.10 +/- 0.09 hours, and apparent volume of distribution was 2.49 +/- 0.43 L/kg. For oral administration, AUC0-infinity was 58.47 +/- 16.37 microg x h/ml, t1/2beta was 18.39 +/- 0.06 hours, maximum concentration (Cmax) was 2.12 +/- 00.51 microg/ml, time to Cmax was 2.20 +/- 2.17 hours, mean absorption time was 2.09 +/- 0.51 hours, and bioavailability was 42 +/- 0.42%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Compared with adult horses given 5 mg of enrofloxacin/kg IV, foals have higher AUC0-infinity, longer t1/2beta, and lower clearance. Concentration of ciprofloxacin was negligible. Using a target Cmax to minimum inhibitory concentration ratio of 1:8 to 1:10, computer modeling suggests that 2.5 to 10 mg of enrofloxacin/kg administered every 24 hours would be effective in foals, depending on minimum inhibitory concentration of the pathogen.     

Pharmacokinetic behaviour of enrofloxacin in greater rheas following a single-dose intramuscular administration

The pharmacokinetic behaviour of enrofloxacin in greater rheas was investigated after intramuscular (IM) administration of 15 mg/kg. Plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin and its active metabolite, ciprofloxacin, were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Enrofloxacin peak plasma concentration (C(max)=3.30+/-0.90 microg/mL) was reached at 24.17+/-9.17 min. The terminal half-life (t(1/2lambda)) and area under the curve (AUC) were 2.85+/-0.54 h and 4.18+/-0.69 microg h/mL, respectively. The AUC and C(max) for ciprofloxacin were 0.25+/-0.06 microg/mL and 0.66+/-0.16 microg h/mL, respectively. Taking into account the values obtained for the efficacy indices, an IM dose of 15 mg/kg of enrofloxacin would appear to be adequate for treating infections caused by highly susceptible bacteria (MIC(90)<0.03 microg/mL) in greater rheas.     

Detection of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in equine hair

Hair analysis to detect drug administration has not been studied extensively in horses. This study aimed to (a) develop an analytical method for enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in mane and tail hair, (b) relate measured values to doses, routes of administration, hair colour, and (c) demonstrate long-term detectability. Samples were extracted in trifluoroacetic acid at 70 degrees C. Extracts were cleaned-up by solid-phase extraction and analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV-diode array detection. Analyte recoveries were > 87%. Horses were sampled after therapeutic enrofloxacin administration either orally at 7.5 mg/kg daily for 3-13 days or twice daily for 10-14 days (Group 1, n=7) or intravenously at 5.0 mg/kg daily for 12 and 15 days (Group 2, n=2). Enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were detected at concentrations up to 452 and 19 ng/mg, respectively, up to 10 months post-treatment. In vitro, enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were extensively bound to melanin (> 96%) and in vivo, their uptake was 40-fold greater in black than white hair. Enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin concentrations correlated to enrofloxacin dose (r2=0.777 and r2=0.769). Enrofloxacin:ciprofloxacin ratios were 21:1 and 13:1 following intravenous and oral administration, respectively. Longitudinal analyte distributions correlated to treatment-sampling interval.     

Pharmacokinetics and endometrial tissue concentrations of enrofloxacin and the metabolite ciprofloxacin after i.v. administration of enrofloxacin to mares

Enrofloxacin was administered i.v. to five adult mares at a dose of 5 mg/kg. After administration, blood and endometrial biopsy samples were collected at regular intervals for 24 h. The plasma and tissue samples were analyzed for enrofloxacin and the metabolite ciprofloxacin by high-pressure liquid chromatography. In plasma, enrofloxacin had a terminal half-life (t(1/2)), volume of distribution (area method), and systemic clearance of 6.7 +/- 2.9 h, 1.9 +/- 0.4 L/kg, and 3.7 +/- 1.4 mL/kg/min, respectively. Ciprofloxacin had a maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 0.28 +/- 0.09 microg/mL. In endometrial tissue, the enrofloxacin Cmax was 1.7 +/- 0.5 microg/g, and the t(1/2) was 7.8 +/- 3.7 h. Ciprofloxacin Cmax in tissues was 0.15 +/- 0.04 microg/g and the t(1/2) was 5.2 +/- 2.0 h. The tissue:plasma enrofloxacin concentration ratios (w/w:w/v) were 0.175 +/- 0.08 and 0.47 +/- 0.06 for Cmax and AUC, respectively. For ciprofloxacin, these values were 0.55 +/- 0.13 and 0.58 +/- 0.31, respectively. We concluded that plasma concentrations achieved after 5 mg/kg i.v. are high enough to meet surrogate markers for antibacterial activity (Cmax:MIC ratio, and AUC:MIC ratio) considered effective for most susceptible gram-negative bacteria. Endometrial tissue concentrations taken from the mares after dosing showed that enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin both penetrate this tissue adequately after systemic administration and would attain concentrations high enough in the tissue fluids to treat infections of the endometrium caused by susceptible bacteria.