Assessment of exposure to chloramphenicol and azathioprine among workers in a South African pharmaceutical plant

There have been very few published studies that have evaluated exposure to myelotoxic drugs among production workers in pharmaceutical plants. Previous studies have focussed mainly on nurses and evaluated exposure to cytotoxic drugs using urine mutagenicity as a marker of exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure of workers involved in the production of chloramphenicol and azathioprine. Exposure was evaluated utilising biological monitoring, biological effect monitoring and environmental monitoring. Biological monitoring included plasma chloramphenicol levels, plasma 6-mercaptopurine and urine 6-thiouric acid levels. These were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography. Myelotoxic effect was assessed by measuring the haematological indices of bone marrow function. The exposed 17 workers were compared to matched controls of equal numbers. Neither substance could be detected in serum nor urine by the analytical methods employed. However, haematological indices demonstrated a significantly decreased mean reticulocyte and neutrophil count in the azathioprine exposed group. Industrial hygiene measurements demonstrated contamination of the air inside the airhood of exposed workers. In conclusion, it is evident that workers involved in the production of both these drugs are at risk of developing adverse health effects. Furthermore, more sensitive analytical methods need to be developed to evaluate absorption of myelotoxic chemicals among occupationally exposed workers.

Automated high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of chloramphenicol in milk and swine muscle tissue using on-line immunoaffinity sample clean-up

An on-line high-performance liquid immunoaffinity chromatographic (HPLIAC) system for the direct determination of chloramphenicol in milk and swine muscle tissue is described. The system consisted of a dual-column system in which an HPLIAC column was directly coupled to an RP-8 high-performance liquid chromatographic column. Skimmed and deproteinated milk or aqueous muscle tissue extract was directly injected into the HPLIAC column. After a washing step with phosphate-buffered saline, chloramphenicol was desorbed by a glycine-NaCl buffer (pH 2.8) and directly concentrated on the RP-8 column. Next, chromatography was carried out using acetonitrile-sodium acetate buffer as the mobile phase. Chloramphenicol was detected at 280 nm. Mean recoveries from spiked raw milk were 70 +/- 2% (1-50 micrograms/kg) and from spiked swine muscle tissue 64 +/- 2% (10-50 micrograms/kg). The calibration curves were linear in the range 1-200 micrograms/kg spiking levels. Limits of determination were 1 microgram/kg for milk and 10 micrograms/kg for muscle tissue.

Determination of chloramphenicol in muscle using a particle beam interface for combining liquid chromatography with negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry

A simple and rapid liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of chloramphenicol in calf muscle is presented. A particle beam interface was used, with negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry using methane as the reagent gas. The method specificity was tested for three related compounds, dehydrochloramphenicol, nitrosochloramphenicol and nitrophenylaminopropanediol. The extraction procedures require 5 g of muscle, and the quantification limit is 2 micrograms/kg for chloramphenicol. Residues were detected in calf muscle 48 h after intravenous administration of chloramphenicol (25 mg/kg body weight).

Conformation and quantification of chloramphenicol in cow's urine, muscle and eggs by electron capture negative ion chemical ionization gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A method is described for the determination of residues of the antibiotic chloramphenicol in biological samples. The method is based on gas chromatography/negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry and uses (37Cl2)chloramphenicol as internal standard. Selective ion monitoring of four analyte-specific ions enables the determination of chloramphenicol levels in urine of 3 micrograms l-1 with a coefficient of variation of 8%. The limit of detection of the method is 0.1 p.p.b. for urine, muscle and egg.

Analysis of chloramphenicol residues in swine tissues and milk: comparative study using different screening and quantitative methods

Both screening and quantitative methods for chloramphenicol residues in swine tissues and milk were compared, using samples from animals treated with chloramphenicol. For screening purposes a previously developed streptavidin-biotin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a commercially available immunochemical card test were used. For quantitative purposes two previously developed high-performance liquid chromatographic procedures were applied using antibody-mediated clean-up and solid-phase extraction. Some improvements in both methods were also described. The results obtained with the screening tests and those obtained with the quantitative methods correspond well with each other. Using a combination of these methods, an effective control of residues of chloramphenicol can be performed in milk from the 1 microgram/kg level and in swine tissues from the 10 micrograms/kg level.

Liquid chromatographic determination of chloramphenicol in calf tissues: studies of stability in muscle, kidney, and liver

A liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the measurement of chloramphenicol (CAP) in muscle, liver, and kidney. The mean recovery levels were 82.6, 75.3, and 79.2% in muscle, liver, and kidney, respectively. The method was repeatable and reproducible for CAP measurement in muscle, with a detection limit of 1 microgram/kg. Investigation of CAP stability in muscle, liver, and kidney showed that CAP stability in muscle was good at -20 degrees C; for spiked liver and kidney, degradation of CAP was observed, and the use of piperonyl butoxide (PB) for metabolism inhibition was recommended for recovery and linearity studies. However, PB was unnecessary for preservation of treated animal tissues if samples were cut into cubes and cooled at -20 degrees C, just after slaughter, pending analysis. With these limitations, CAP can be measured in liver and kidney.

The use of beta-galactosidase gene fusions to screen for antibacterial antibiotics

The desirable features for a screening assay to detect antibacterial antibiotics include 1) high specificity for the desired antibiotic type 2) high sensitivity 3) lack of interference by other compounds likely to be associated with the antibiotic of interest and 4) ease of operation to allow a large number of samples to be tested. These characteristics are largely found in screens employing strains carrying fusions between antibiotic induced promoters and the structural genes for Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase. Screens were designed based upon fusions with three antibiotic induced promoters: the tetracycline induced tetA/tetR promoter from transposon Tn10, the erythromycin induced promoter from the Staphylococcus aureus ermC erythromycin-resistance gene and the chloramphenicol induced promoter from the S. aureus cat86 chloramphenicol-resistance gene. Because there have been no reports of vancomycin induced resistance determinants, a Tn903 random gene fusion pool was screened to isolate a vancomycin induced gene fusion. This gene fusion was induced fairly specifically by glycopeptide antibiotics and the fusion was used as the basis for a glycopeptide screen.

Trace analysis of chloramphenicol residues in egg powders by capillary gas chromatography-electron capture detection

Chloramphenicol (CAP) in egg powder samples was extracted with acetonitrile by sonication. After centrifugation, the supernatant was diluted with water and defatted with n-hexane, and cleanup was performed on a microcolumn of graphitized carbon black (GCB). Different silylation methods were compared for the derivatization of the analytes. Trimethylsilyl N,N-dimethylcarbamate produced stable di-TMS derivatives which were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography-electron capture detection (CGC-ECD) after splitless injection. The meta isomer of the chloramphenicol served as the internal standard for quantitation, and 80% + mean recovery was obtained in the 0.1-10 micrograms/kg (ppb) concentration range.

In vivo effects of chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and gentamicin on bovine neutrophil function and morphologic features

Antibiotics that have been shown in vitro to have a detrimental effect on bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) were injected into the mammary gland. Chloramphenicol, tetracycline, gentamicin, or phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBSS) were administered to uninfected mammary quarters of four cows at recommended doses. Each cow received each of the 4 treatments. Total milk somatic cell count and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity in milk in response to drug, changes in ultrastructure of PMNL, and effects on in vitro percentage phagocytosis, reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium, and chemiluminescence were studied. Chloramphenicol and tetracycline caused a significant (P less than 0.01) increase in somatic cell count, compared with baseline values. During the first 12 hours, no effect on NAGase activity was observed. All 3 antibiotics caused a significant (P less than 0.05) alteration of PMNL morphologic features. More abnormal PMNL (63%) were found in tetracycline-injected quarters. Gentamicin-injected quarters contained 33% abnormal PMNL, compared with only 5% for PBSS-injected quarters. A significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in percentage phagocytosis was observed for tetracycline and gentamicin. Tetracycline inhibited all chemiluminescence activity, whereas no effect was observed for the other 2 drugs. Nitroblue tetrazolium reduction was nonsignificantly (P greater than or equal to 0.05) decreased for the 3 drugs, compared with that for PBSS controls. On the basis of our findings, we concluded that some antibiotics may be inhibitory to phagocyte function and, thereby, impair host defense mechanisms against invading microbes.

Sensitive streptavidin-biotin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for rapid screening of chloramphenicol residues in swine muscle tissue

A sensitive, competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for chloramphenicol (CAP) in swine muscle tissue has been developed. The ELISA is based on an earlier procedure. To improve sensitivity, different optimization procedures were investigated. The introduction of a streptavidin-biotin system and the use of a coating antigen with a lower CAP incorporation resulted in the most sensitive ELISA: the CAP concentration giving 50% inhibition decreased from 125 ng/mL to 3.0 ng/mL. This ELISA procedure was applied for a rapid screening of CAP residues in swine muscle tissue. The tissues were extracted with demineralized water. A concentrated phosphate-buffered saline solution was added to the filtered aqueous extract and this sample solution was directly submitted to the ELISA procedure. The results were compared to values obtained by analysis of a corresponding blank. This blank was prepared by treating a part of the aqueous sample solution with an immobilized monoclonal antibody preparation. This treatment was necessary because aqueous extracts of different swine muscle tissues showed a high variation in dose-response curves, probably caused by the complexity and variability of the matrix. In spiked tissues, the presence of CAP at concentrations of 10 micrograms/kg and higher can be easily demonstrated.

Quantification of antibiotic drug potency by a two-compartment radioassay of bacterial growth

The two-compartment radioassay for microbial kinetics based on continuous measurement of the 14CO2 released by bacterial metabolism of 14C-labeled substrate offers a valuable approach to testing the potency of antimicrobial drugs. By using a previously validated radioassay with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, a group of protein synthesis inhibitors was evaluated for their effect on microbial growth kinetics. All tested drugs induced changes in both the slopes and intercepts of the growth curves. An exponential growth model was applied to quantify the drug effect on the processes of bacterial 14CO2 liberation and cell generation. The response was measured in terms of a generation rate constant. A linear dependence of the generation rate constant on the dose of spectinomycin was observed with Escherichia coli. Sigmoidal-shaped curves were found in the assays of chloramphenicol and tetracycline. The implications of dose-response curves are discussed on the basis of the receptor site concept for drug action. The assay sensitivities for chloramphenicol and tetracycline were similar to those obtained by the cell counting method, but the sensitivity of the radioassay was at least 10 times greater for spectinomycin.

Application of thermospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry for the analysis of chloramphenicol and three related compounds

The thermospray (TS) liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of the antibiotic chloramphenicol and three related compounds is presented. The three additional compounds are dehydrochloramphenicol, aminodehydrochloramphenicol, and nitrophenylaminopropanediol. Baseline separation of the four compounds is achieved. The TS mass spectrum of each of the four compounds includes a prominent [MH]+ ion plus some fragment ion peaks.

Chloramphenicol and oxytetracycline residues in milk and tissues from cows and bullocks treated with an injectable formulation

A commercial formulation of chloramphenicol and oxytetracycline was administered to dairy cows and bullocks by the intramuscular route. Concentrations of drugs were determined in milk and edible tissues by high-performance liquid chromatographic and microbiological methods. The data allowed the calculation of withdrawal times for milk (4 and 17 milkings for chloramphenicol and oxytetracycline, respectively) and for tissues (35 days for chloramphenicol, more than 35 days for oxytetracycline, depending on the levels at the injection sites). Hence oxytetracycline residues were the most persistent in these types of foods, according to our dosage scheme.

Monoclonal antibody-mediated clean-up procedure for the high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of chloramphenicol in milk and eggs

A simple, rapid and specific sample preparation method based on antibody-mediated clean-up for the determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) in milk and eggs was developed. Skimmed milk and centrifuged egg homogenates were filtered and directly applied to immunoaffinity columns which were prepared by coupling monoclonal antibodies against CAP to a carbonyldiimidazole-activated support. Using a 0.2 M glycine, 0.5 M NaCl (pH 2.8) solution as an eluent, the immunoaffinity columns can be used more than 30 times without a decrease in column capacity. In subsequent high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis, no matrix interferences were observed. Good recoveries were obtained at spiking levels of 1-100 micrograms kg-1. Due to the high specificity of the clean-up procedure, the limit of detection can be lowered by increasing the test portion. Concerning milk, the limit of detection was successfully lowered to 20 ng kg-1 by increasing the test portion to 11 (recovery 99%). The method was applied to eggs produced by hens treated with CAP. The results are compared with those obtained by solid-phase extraction using silica gel.

Liquid chromatographic determination of chloramphenicol residues in meat: interlaboratory study

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method for the determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) residues in meat at the 10 microgram/kg level was tested in an interlaboratory study. The method used, based on aqueous extraction and sample cleanup with a cartridge containing Extrelut, was published earlier. A prestudy to familiarize collaborators with the method was performed before the actual interlaboratory precision study. The meat samples used in the precision study were prepared by diluting dosed chicken and pig muscle tissues with blank tissues from other species. Fourteen laboratories received 20 meat samples; 13 laboratories actually participated in the study. Two blank samples and 2 positive samples each of pig, calf, chicken, lamb, and cow meat were tested. The chloramphenicol concentrations in the positive samples ranged from 6.5 to 21 micrograms/kg. The overall mean reproducibility coefficient of variation was 17.9% after the results per laboratory were corrected for the mean recovery obtained within each sample series. The overall mean recovery was 55.1% with a coefficient of variation of 18.0% at the 10 micrograms/kg level. The limit of detection, based on chromatograms of blank samples, was estimated to be 1.5 micrograms/kg of chloramphenicol. No false positives or false negatives were observed in the concentration range tested; only 2 false positive results above the detection limit (1.7 and 6 micrograms/kg) on a total number of 60 blank analyses (3.3%) were observed.

Derivative spectrophotometric determination of clotrimazole in single formulations and in combination with other drugs

First (D1) and second (D2) derivative spectrophotometric methods are presented for the determination of clotrimazole after its acid hydrolysis. Mixtures of clotrimazole with azidamfenicol and dexamethasone have been assayed using D2 measurement at 302 nm after acid hydrolysis for clotrimazole, D1 measurement at 288 nm for azidamfenicol, and D1 measurement at 436 nm after reaction with phenylhydrazinium sulfate for dexamethasone. Reproducible results with relative standard deviations of less than 2% are obtained. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of creams, topical solutions, and vaginal tablets.

Digital subtraction chromatography: an LC-technique to reduce disturbing peaks in bioanalysis

A method of reducing disturbing peaks in LC-chromatograms is described. The technique, here called digital subtraction chromatography (DSCh), makes use of the new generation of integrating chromatographic data processors. These processors are able to store the LC-detector signal and then subtract one chromatogram from another with the resulting chromatogram reintegrated and reprinted. The possibility of getting a useful chromatogram by subtracting a zero sample chromatogram from a sample with disturbing peaks is demonstrated. The theoretical background of the method is given together with a discussion of the optimisation of the chromatographic conditions. A bioanalytical application is given.

Detection of residues of chloramphenicol in crude extracts of fish and milk by tandem mass spectrometry

The collision-induced dissociation mass spectrum, observed with a hybrid tandem instrument, of the ammonia chemical ionization protonated molecular ion of chloramphenicol was used for the detection of residues of the drug in biological samples. The extracted oil from fish was subjected to a rapid clean-up on a pre-packed silica gel cartridge prior to non-chromatographic tandem mass spectral analysis. Fat extracted from milk was analysed directly by on-line combined high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with rapid elution of chloramphenicol. Identification was on the basis of agreement of the daughter ion spectra obtained from sample extracts with that of the chloramphenicol standard. Detection was unambiguous at 0.5 mg kg-1. The sensitivity advantage normally expected with multiple reaction monitoring was not achieved owing to the effect of neutral noise phenomena.

Reversed-phase liquid chromatographic separation of enantiomeric and diastereomeric bases related to chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol

The important antimicrobial agents chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol are N-acylated amines whose chemical structures include two chiral centers. Each drug is the single enantiomer of R,R configuration. The N-deacylated bases of the drugs are important intermediates in their synthesis and optical resolution. In this report, reversed-phase HPLC methods are described for the separation of enantiomeric and diastereomeric bases of the two drugs and of two closely related bases used in some syntheses of the drugs. The stereoisomeric bases were derivatized with a homochiral isothiocyanate and the resulting diastereomeric thioureas were separated on C18 columns with methanol:water mixtures as mobile phases and detection at 254 nm. The four stereoisomeric bases of chloramphenicol and those of its unnitrated analogue were thus separable after derivatization with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl isothiocyanate. This reagent also allowed the separation of the D-threo isomer of the p-mercaptomethyl analogue of thiamphenicol base from its stereoisomers. The stereoisomers of thiamphenicol base were similarly separated with (R)-alpha-methylbenzyl isothiocyanate as the derivatizing agent. The diastereomers of chloramphenicol base and of thiamphenicol base were chromatographically separable after derivatization with the nonchiral reagent benzyl isothiocyanate. The procedures developed may be useful in the determination of the stereoisomeric composition of the drugs in research and in quality control, and may be applicable to other similar agents whose chemistry and pharmacology are receiving considerable attention.

Monitoring milk for chloramphenicol residues by an immunoassay (Quik-card)

An easy to perform immunoassay method (Quik-card) for monitoring milk on the presence of chloramphenicol residues exceeding 5 to 10 ppb is described, as well as an extraction and preconcentration method utilising a Sep-pak silica cartridge, which enables the detection of CAP residues in milk in concentrations exceeding 1 ppb by HPLC and 0.1 ppb by the immunoassay.