Management of ibuprofen in wastewater using electrospun nanofibers developed from PET and PS wastes

Electrospinning is a promising technique for the beneficial use and recycling of plastic waste polymers using simple methodologies. In this study, plastic bottles and Styrofoam wastes have been used to develop polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS) nanofibers using electrospinning technique separately without any further purification. The effect of the concentration onto the nanofiber's morphology was studied. The fabricated nanofibers were characterized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), N2 adsorption/desorption analysis, and water contact angle (WCA). Furthermore, the prepared nanofibers were applied for the adsorption of ibuprofen (IBU) from wastewater. Some parameters that can influence the adsorption efficiency of nanofibers such as solution pH, wt.% of prepared nanofibers, drug initial concentration, and contact time were studied and optimized. The results show that the equilibrium adsorption capacity was achieved after only 10 min for 12 wt.% PET nanofibers which is equivalent to 364.83 mg/g. For 12 wt.% PS nanofibers, an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 328.42 mg/g was achieved in 30 min. The experimental data was fitted to five isotherm and four kinetics models to understand the complicated interaction between the nanofibers and the drug. Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm model showed the best fit for experimental data for both PET and PS nanofibers. The adsorption process was characterized by predominantly physical reaction rather than chemical adsorption for both materials. The reusability study revealed that the synthesized nanofibers maintain their ability to adsorb/desorb IBU for up to five cycles. The results obtained demonstrated that fabricated nanofibers from plastic wastes could perform promising adsorbents for the management of IBU in wastewater. However, further research is needed for the scaling-up the fabrication which is required for real-world applications.

Antifungal Activity of Chitosan Polymeric Nanoparticles and Correlation with Their pH Against Mucor circinelloides Causing Mucormycosis, Along with Penicillium notatum and Aspergillus Species

Mucormycosis is uncommon, yet it is more prevalent among individuals with underlying health conditions and those who are immunocompromised. Chitosan is studied because of its appealing properties and diverse applications. The purpose of this work is to synthesize chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) by ionic gelation method at various pH levels and test them against Mucor and other filamentous fungus. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, Zeta sizer, Zeta potential, and Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy were used to characterize CSNPs. Hydrodynamic size increased considerably with increasing pH. Our CSNPs were tested against fungal isolates of Aspergillus Flavus RCMB 02783, Aspergillus Fumigatus RCMB 02564, and Aspergillus Niger RCMB 02588, Penicillium Notatum (NCPF 2881) and   (M. circinelloides CNRMA 03.894) causing mucromycosis. Antifungal activity was investigated using Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), Minimum Fungicidal concentration (MFC), Disc diffusion assay, and Antifungal inhibitory percentages methods. The best antifungal efficacy results were obtained through CSNPs prepared at pH = 4.4 at very low concentration for MIC (1.03 or 2.75 μg/mL) with 100% M. circinelloides inhibition followed by pH = 4.6 with MIC (73 or 208 μg/mL) and 93%  M. cirecinelloides inhibition %. Future usage of these materials in masks or wound dressing to avoid fungal infections, including mucormycosis following COVID-19, penicillium, and aspergillosis toxicity and infections.

Prevalence of major blood group antigens in blood donors at a main donation center in United Arab Emirates

Blood transfusion is a common practice in hospitals. In many diseases, transfusion of red blood cells can be a life-saving measure. Knowing the blood group phenotypes of the donors in any population is important to improve health care services and to better serve patients. We aimed to determine the blood group phenotypes of the regular donors visiting the main blood donation center in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 500 regular blood donors were included, and blood group antigens were tested using serologic methods. Major blood group systems included in this testing were ABO, Rh, Kell, Kidd, Duffy, Lewis, Lutheran, MNS, and P1PK. The most prevalent ABO/D blood type was group O, D+ (29.6%), with the most prevalent phenotype in the Rh blood group system reported as R₁r (34.4%). In the Kell system, the K-k+ phenotype was reported in 92.4 percent of individuals tested. The rare Duffy null phenotype, Fy(a-b-), was reported in 11.0 percent of the cohort. Most donors (99.0%) were Lu(b+). In the Lewis system, the phenotype Le(a-b+) was seen in 61.8 percent of the donors. MNS system phenotypes were comparable to the reports from Saudi Arabia and India, with M+N+S-s+ being the most prevalent (21.2%). The prevalence of many major blood group phenotypes in the UAE blood donor population showed similarities to results from populations in neighboring countries, but other phenotype prevalences were unique to this population. This finding can be used to build a blood group registry for the local population that can better serve hospitals' transfusion requirements.

Blood transfusion is a common practice in hospitals. In many diseases, transfusion of red blood cells can be a life-saving measure. Knowing the blood group phenotypes of the donors in any population is important to improve health care services and to better serve patients. We aimed to determine the blood group phenotypes of the regular donors visiting the main blood donation center in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 500 regular blood donors were included, and blood group antigens were tested using serologic methods. Major blood group systems included in this testing were ABO, Rh, Kell, Kidd, Duffy, Lewis, Lutheran, MNS, and P1PK. The most prevalent ABO/D blood type was group O, D+ (29.6%), with the most prevalent phenotype in the Rh blood group system reported as R₁r (34.4%). In the Kell system, the K–k+ phenotype was reported in 92.4 percent of individuals tested. The rare Duffy null phenotype, Fy(a–b–), was reported in 11.0 percent of the cohort. Most donors (99.0%) were Lu(b+). In the Lewis system, the phenotype Le(a–b+) was seen in 61.8 percent of the donors. MNS system phenotypes were comparable to the reports from Saudi Arabia and India, with M+N+S–s+ being the most prevalent (21.2%). The prevalence of many major blood group phenotypes in the UAE blood donor population showed similarities to results from populations in neighboring countries, but other phenotype prevalences were unique to this population. This finding can be used to build a blood group registry for the local population that can better serve hospitals’ transfusion requirements.

Hepatitis C virus genotype 4 with normal transaminases: histological changes, schistosomiasis and response to treatment

Among individuals with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, approximately 30% of patients show persistently normal alanine aminotransferase (PNALT). Individuals with PNALT have been historically excluded from antiviral treatment. However, some studies have reported sudden worsening of disease in patients with PNALT, suggesting the need to treat such individuals. To evaluate this further, we compared fibrosis severity and response to treatment in patients with PNALT to patients with abnormal ALT. In addition, we investigated whether liver histology and schistosomiasis affect response to treatment differently in those with PNALT and abnormal ALT. A retrospective cohort study of 176 HCV-Genotype 4 (HCV-G4) patients treated with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin. Of 176 cases studied, 53 (30.1%) had normal ALT. Prevalence of pretreatment severe fibrosis, sustained virological response (SVR) and relapse were not significantly different in patients with PNALT (26%, 66% and 5.7% respectively) compared to those with abnormal ALT (32.5%, 60.7%, and 6.6% respectively). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that pretreatment ALT, pretreatment viral load, inflammation and schistosomiasis were not significantly associated with SVR [OR (95% CI), 0.75 (0.34-1.65); 0.92 (0.61-1.37); 1.64 (0.64-4.18); 0.90 (0.44-1.84) respectively]. Severe fibrosis was the only significant predictor of SVR [OR (95% CI), 0.38 (0.14-0.99)]. PNALT does not reflect the degree of fibrotic changes or predict SVR. Furthermore, schistosomiasis is a predictor of neither fibrosis nor poor response in patients with PNALT. Severe fibrosis is a strong and independent predictor of response to treatment. Therefore, it is important to treat individuals with PNALT levels regardless of schistosomiasis.

Viral kinetic of HCV genotype-4 during pegylated interferon alpha 2a: ribavirin therapy

Kinetics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) during pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and early monitoring of viral decline were recently described to predict treatment outcomes and in turn reduce the course of treatment, adverse effects and cost. However, there is limited (if any) information on the viral dynamics of HCV-4. Our aim is to follow the HCV-RNA kinetics during PEG-IFN alpha 2a and ribavirin therapy and the best time for predicting sustained viral response (SVR) in genotype-4 patients. Serum HCV-RNA levels before initial dosing (baseline level) and at 24 h, week 1, week 4, week 12, week 24, week 48 and week 72 were assessed in 84 HCV genotype-4 patients treated weekly by PEG-IFN alpha 2a and daily ribavirin. At the end of treatment, out of the 84 treated patients, 19 (22.6%) were non-responders while 65 (77%) showed end-of-treatment response (ETR). However, 8 patients relapsed (9.5%), thus the SVR was observed in 57 patients (67.9%). Younger patients were more likely to attain SVR, where the odds of SVR increased by a factor of 0.94 for each year increase in age (95% CI: 0.90-0.99, P = 0.019). Although a significant negative correlation between stage of fibrosis and rate of viral decline at weeks 1 and 4 (P < 0.005 and 0.001, respectively) was seen, neither fibrosis stage (χ(2) = 3.4882, P > 0.1) nor grade of inflammation (χ(2) = 0.0057, P > 0.1) significantly predicted response to treatment. Non-responders had no or only a limited decline at week 1 and week 4, whereas sustained virological responders had a significant decline at both week 1 and week 4. Area under the (receiver operating characteristic) curve (AUC) revealed that week 12 is better than any other time point in predicting the SVR (AUC = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94-1.01), (sensitivity 98.3%; 95% CI: 90.7-99.9), (specificity 88.5%; 95% CI: 71.0-96.0), positive predictive value of 94.9% and negative predictive value of 95.8%. A drop of more than 1.17 log viral load at week 1 and viral clearance or decline >3 log were considered as the earliest predictors of SVR. In genotype-4 patients, while failure to achieve an EVR at week 12 predicts non-response, an RVR at week 1 and week 4 98% guaranteed SVR. These findings further re-enforce the value of week 12 in the course of IFN treatment. Genotype-4 patients who show significant viral clearance (>1.17 log viral load) by the first week of treatment and viral clearance >3 log by week 4 are expected to show SVR and should therefore be assigned to a shorter drug regimen lasting for 24 weeks. Those unfortunate cases who do not achieve viral clearance by week 1 or week 4 should not be deprived from the treatment but rather given more time till week 12 before being classified as non-responders.

Treatment of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 with peginterferon alfa-2a: Impact of bilharziasis and fibrosis stage

AIM: To evaluate pegylated interferon alpha2a (PegIFN-α2a) in Egyptian patients with HCV genotype 4, and the impact of pretreatment viral load, co-existent bilharziasis and histological liver changes on response rate.

METHODS: A total of 73 naïve patients (61 with history of bilharziasis) with compensated chronic HCV genotype 4 were enrolled into: group A (38 patients) who received 180 mg PegIFN-alpha2a subcutaneously once weekly for a year and group B (35 patients) received IFN alpha-2a 3 MU 3 times weekly. Ribavirin was added to each regimen at a dose of 1200 mg. Patients were followed for 72 wk and sustained response was assessed.

RESULTS: Significant improvement in both end of treatment response (ETR) (P < 0.002) and sustained response (SR) (P < 0.05) was noted with pegylated interferon, where ETR was achieved in 29 (76.3%) and 14 patients (40%) in both groups respectively, and 25 patients in group A (65.8%) and 9 (25.7%) in group B could retain negative viraemia by the end of follow up period. Sustained virological response (SVR) showed a significant negative correlation with age and positive correlation with pretreatment inflammation in patients receiving PegIFN. Viral clearance after 3 mo of therapy was associated with high incidence of ETR and SR (P < 0.001), but without significant difference between both forms of interferon. Significant improvement in response was achieved in patients with high grade fibrosis (grade 3 and 4) with PegIFN-α2a, where SR was seen in 5 out of 13 patients in group A, but none in group B. There was no significant difference in response between bilharzial and non-bilharzial patients in both groups. In terms of safety and tolerability, neutropenia was the predominant side effect; both drugs were comparable.

CONCLUSION: PegIFN-α2a combined with ribavirin results in improvement in sustained response in HCV genotype 4, irrespective of history of bilharzial infestation.

Cone beam CT with zonal filters for simultaneous dose reduction, improved target contrast and automated set-up in radiotherapy

Cone beam CT (CBCT) using a zonal filter is introduced. The aims are reduced concomitant imaging dose to the patient, simultaneous control of body scatter for improved image quality in the tumour target zone and preserved set-up detail for radiotherapy. Aluminium transmission diaphragms added to the CBCT x-ray tube of the Elekta Synergytrade mark linear accelerator produced an unattenuated beam for a central "target zone" and a partially attenuated beam for an outer "set-up zone". Imaging doses and contrast noise ratios (CNR) were measured in a test phantom for transmission diaphragms 12 and 24 mm thick, for 5 and 10 cm long target zones. The effect on automatic registration of zonal CBCT to conventional CT was assessed relative to full-field and lead-collimated images of an anthropomorphic phantom. Doses along the axis of rotation were reduced by up to 50% in both target and set-up zones, and weighted dose (two thirds surface dose plus one third central dose) was reduced by 10-20% for a 10 cm long target zone. CNR increased by up to 15% in zonally filtered CBCT images compared to full-field images. Automatic image registration remained as robust as that with full-field images and was superior to CBCT coned down using lead-collimation. Zonal CBCT significantly reduces imaging dose and is expected to benefit radiotherapy through improved target contrast, required to assess target coverage, and wide-field edge detail, needed for robust automatic measurement of patient set-up error.

Processing of copper anodic-slimes for extraction of valuable metals

This work focuses on processing of anodic slimes obtained from an Egyptian copper electrorefining plant. The anodic slimes are characterized by high concentrations of copper, lead, tin and silver. The proposed hydrometallurgical process consists of two leaching stages for the extraction of copper (H(2)SO(4)-O(2)) and silver (thiourea-Fe3+), and pyrometallurgical treatment of the remaining slimes for production of Pb-Sn soldering alloy. Factors affecting both the leaching and smelting stages were studied.

Processing of Egyptian boiler-ash for extraction of vanadium and nickel

Proposed technique in this investigation is given for vanadium and nickel enrichment in the Egyptian boiler ash. Among the various concepts for recovery of vanadium and nickel from boiler ash, the pyro-metallurgical approach is technically feasible, but is not cost-effective from an operational economy standpoint. Another technically viable process which, however, needs further development and presented in this investigation, is the hydrometallurgical processing that involves acid leaching under oxygen pressure of ground ash, followed by electrolytic separation of nickel from sulphate solution and vanadium is then neutralized and precipitated by adjustment the pH value and calcined to produce V2O5.

The required number of treatment imaging days for an effective off-line correction of systematic errors in conformal radiotherapy of prostate cancer--a radiobiological analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To use radiobiological modelling to estimate the number of initial days of treatment imaging required to gain most of the benefit from off-line correction of systematic errors in the conformal radiation therapy of prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Treatment plans based on the anatomical information of a representative patient were generated assuming that the patient is treated with a multi leaf collimator (MLC) four-field technique and a total isocentre dose of 72 Gy delivered in 36 daily fractions. Target position variations between fractions were simulated from standard deviations of measured data found in the literature. Off-line correction of systematic errors was assumed to be performed only once based on the measured errors during the initial days of treatment. The tumour control probability (TCP) was calculated using the Webb and Nahum model.

RESULTS

Simulation of daily variations in the target position predicted a marked reduction in TCP if the planning target volume (PTV) margin was smaller than 4 mm (TCP decreased by 3.4% for 2 mm margin). The systematic components of target position variations had greater effect on the TCP than the random components. Off-line correction of estimated systematic errors reduced the decrease in TCP due to target daily displacements, nevertheless, the resulting TCP levels for small margins were still less than the TCP level obtained with the use of an adequate PTV margin of approximately 10 mm. The magnitude of gain in TCP expected from the correction depended on the number of treatment imaging days used for the correction and the PTV margin applied. Gains of 2.5% in TCP were estimated from correction of systematic errors performed after 6 initial days of treatment imaging for a 2 mm PTV margin. The effect of various possible magnitudes of systematic and random components on the gain in TCP expected from correction and on the number of imaging days required was also investigated.

CONCLUSIONS

Daily variations of target position markedly reduced the TCP if small margins were used. Off-line correction of systematic errors can only partly compensate for these TCP reductions. The adequate number of treatment imaging days required for systematic error correction depends on the magnitude of the random component compared with the systematic component, and on the size of PTV margin used. For random components equal to or smaller than the systematic component, 3 consecutive treatment imaging days are estimated to be sufficient to gain most of the benefit from correction for current clinically used margins (6-10 mm); otherwise more days are required.

Disposition kinetics of florfenicol in goats by using two analytical methods

Florfenicol, a monofluorinated analogue of thiamphenicol, has antibacterial activity against a broad spectrum of bacterial strains, including enteric bacteria that are resistant to chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol. The pharmacokinetics of florfenicol was studied following a single intravenous bolus or intramuscular injections at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight, in five healthy goats. Serum florfenicol concentrations were determined using two analytical methods: microbiological assay and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using redundant routine equations and the results derived from each method were compared. While florfenicol was detected for up to 4 and 8 h after administration by the bioassay, the drug was recovered in serum after 12 and 24 h by HPLC following intravenous and intramuscular injections, respectively. Comparison of the concentration profiles obtained by the two methods revealed substantial differences in the resultant kinetic data. Values for the initial serum concentration, elimination half-life, the area under the serum concentration-time curve, the mean residence time, and the systemic bioavailability were significantly (P < 0.01) higher when florfenicol concentrations were determined using HPLC. In conclusion, differences between analytical methodologies should be considered when interpreting the kinetic data for clinical use. However, both the hepatic biotransformations and the interchangeability of enantiomers need further investigation.

Effect of aflatoxicosis on the kinetic behaviour of ceftiofur in chickens

The kinetic behaviour of ceftiofur sodium was studied in aflatoxin treated chickens for 30 days and in non-treated chickens, following oral, intramuscular and intravenous administrations of 10 mg kg(-1) bodyweight of ceftiofur. Aflatoxicosis resulted in a more significant decrease in ceftiofur serum concentration in the treated than in non-treated chickens following oral and intravenous administrations. The kinetic behaviour showed that following intravenous injection the elimination half life time t0.5 (el) was significantly shorter in the treated chickens (1.75+/-0.03 hours) than in non-treated chickens (4.23+/-0.05 hours). Following oral administration, the kinetic behaviour revealed a longer absorption half-life [t0.5 (ab), 62.74+/-1.59 minutes] in the treated chickens than in non-treated (50.46+/-5.07 minutes), with lower Cmax 23.25+/-0.42 microg ml(-1) at long tmax (3.05+/-0.07 hour) in treated chickens than in non-treated (Cmax 27.83+/-1.28 at tmax 2.39+/-0.07 hours).

Is the coagulopathy of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis immune-related?

Some of the soluble factors that affect haemostasis produced in the course of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, including endotoxins (Ex), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were studied. Forty-one patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis were studied and classified into early hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (n = 12), hepatocellular decompensation (n = 14), vascular decompensation (n = 15) as well as twelve healthy controls. Thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), protein C and free protein S antigen and activity, endotoxin, IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha levels were measured in all cases. Evidence of enhanced thrombin generation (elevated TAT levels) with reduced anticoagulant potential (reduced protein C and free protein S antigen and activity levels) could be demonstrated, thus reflecting decreased production and increased consumption of both coagulant and anticoagulant proteins. The association of high Ex, IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha levels may suggest their possible implication in the causation of intravascular coagulation in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.

Extracts and fractions of Thymus capitatus exhibit antimicrobial activities

Preliminary phytochemical screening of the plant Thymus capitatus exhibited the presence of saponins, resins, flavonoids, essential and fixed oils. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts (10-200 mg/ml) as well as saponin, resin and essential oil of the plant (10-5000 micrograms/ml inhibited the growth of several bacteria and fungi.

Fibrinolytic parameters during acute haematemesis in endemic hepatosplenomegaly

Fibrinogen (Fg), plasminogen (Plg), alpha 2-antiplasmin (alpha 2-AP), plasminogen activator (PA), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), D-dimer (DD) and fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP) were studied in 60 subjects: 40 patients with endemic hepatosplenomegaly (20 during acute haematemesis from ruptured oesophageal varices, 20 with endemic hepatosplenomegaly assigned to the same grade of oesophageal varices but with no history of haematemesis) and 20 normal controls. All parameters were markedly altered in the disease groups. Reduced levels of Fg, Plg, alpha 2-AP and PAI were associated with increasing levels of PA, t-PA, DD and FDP. Alterations were most marked in the group complicated by acute bleeding. It was concluded that these patients have an enhanced fibrinolytic state. This was probably aggravated in the haematemesis group by an acute haemostatic imbalance that superimposed the low grade chronic DIC reported in cases of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.

Influence of E. coli infection on the disposition kinetic of nalidixic acid in broiler chickens

The pharmacokinetic data of nalidixic acid were investigated in normal and E. coli infected chickens. The highest serum concentration were reached after 2 hours with t0.5 (ab) of (1.706 +/- 0.1 min in normal and 2.030 +/- 0.11 min in diseased) and (1.72 +/- 0.11 min in normal and 1.416 +/- 0.044 in diseased chickens) following oral and intramuscular administration, respectively. The elimination half-life t0.5 (beta) were (2.514 in normal and 2.35 hr in diseased) and (2.567 hr in normal and 2.672 hr in diseased) respectively. Following intravenous injection the kinetic of nalidixic acid followed two compartments open model with t0.5 of (6.27 and 9.15 hr), Vd (0.45 and 0.79 L/kg), Cltot (8.86 and 13.32 ml/kg/min) in normal and E. coli infected chickens, respectively. Administration of nalidixic acid twice daily for 5 successive days in a dose level of 25 mg/kg b. wt. by oral and intramuscular routes showed a cumulative behaviour.

Study of contact activation in endemic hepatosplenomegaly

Factors of the contact activation complex--FXII, FXI, high-molecular-weight kininogen (HMWK) and prekallikrein (PK) as well as D-dimer were measured in 68 schistosomal patients with and without co-existing chronic hepatitis B virus infection (HBV). Fifty-four cases had mixed hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and HBV infection whereas 14 were suffering from hepatosplenic (HS) schistosomiasis alone. A group of twelve age-matched, healthy individuals served as controls. All coagulation parameters were significantly reduced in both disease groups compared to the healthy controls. The decreased activity of the contact proteins could be attributed to decreased hepatic synthesis, consumption due to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and to the effect of endotoxins. In mixed schistosomiasis and HBV infections, however, the levels of the contact activation factors were not significantly different from those obtained in patients with HS alone. This apparently paradoxical finding does not, however, exclude a role for co-existing HBV infection in speeding up complications in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.

Metabolic behaviour and tissue distribution of nalidixic acid in chickens

The metabolic behaviour and tissue distribution of nalidixic acid in normal and E. coli infected chickens were carried out using spectrofluorimetric and microbiological techniques following a single and multiple oral administration of 25 mg/kg b. wt. The obtained results revealed that free nalidixic acid (free NA) is the major fraction of the total drug concentration in serum, liver and kidneys. The free active nalidixic acid was in a higher concentration than hydroxynalidixic acid (free HNA) and both conjugates of NA and HNA following single and multiple oral administration. The obtained results showed that nalidixic acid was highly distributed in all tissues in normal and E. coli infected chickens, with the highest concentrations in kidneys, liver and heart and lowest concentrations in brain, muscles and intestine following oral administration of 25 mg/kg b. wt. twice daily for 5 successive days. Spectrofluorimetic technique was more sensitive for nalidixic acid determination than microbiological method. Nalidixic acid revealed longer withdrawal time in diseased chickens than in normal chickens.

Pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol in normal and Escherichia coli infected chickens

1. Disposition kinetics were compared in healthy chickens and in chickens naturally infected with E. coli following the intravenous, intramuscular and oral administration of chloramphenicol in a single dose of 20 mg/kg body weight. 2. Lower serum chloramphenicol concentration in diseased chickens were reported after intravenous injection, but they were higher than normal 30 min after intramuscular and oral administration. Following intravenous injection the volume of distribution was increased in diseased chickens. 3. The biological half-life in normal chickens was 8.32 +/- 0.5 h and was prolonged in diseased birds (26.21 +/- 0.2 h). The body clearance of chloramphenicol was reduced in diseased chickens. 4. The rate of absorption of chloramphenicol was delayed after administration via the oral route but the extent of absorption was increased. The maximum concentration was higher and it was reached after a longer time in diseased than in normal chickens after administration by both intramuscular and oral routes.