Pharmacokinetics of tildipirosin in estuarine (Crocodylus porosus) and freshwater (Crocodylus siamensis) crocodiles

Tildipirosin is a macrolide antimicrobial. It is authorised for the treatment and prevention of respiratory disease in cattle and pigs. There are no data on its administration in crocodiles. Therefore, this study evaluated the disposition kinetics of tildipirosin after intravenous (dose: 2 mg/kg) and intramuscular (doses: 2 and 4 mg/kg) administration in two crocodilian species (estuarine and freshwater; n = 5). Tildipirosin plasma concentrations were quantified by a validated HPLC method. Plasma concentrations obtained at each extraction time were analysed by non-compartmental methods. In the estuarine and freshwater crocodiles, the apparent volumes of distribution of tildipirosin after intravenous administration were 0.36 ± 0.10 and 1.48 ± 0.26 L/kg, respectively. These values, suggesting poorer tissue distribution, were much lower than those obtained in mammals. There was complete bioavailability of tildipirosin after intramuscular route at a dose of 2 mg/kg; however, at a dose of 4 mg/kg the bioavailability decreased by about 20-25 %. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics of tildipirosin were markedly different in the two crocodilian species. Considering a MIC of 0.5 µg/mL, the surrogate marker AUC0-24/MIC indicates that tildipirosin would greatly exceed the value of 65 h for both crocodile species and dose levels tested. This suggests that both doses (2 and 4 mg/kg) may provide a bactericidal effect. Therefore, based on the absence of adverse reactions following the administration of tildipirosin in both crocodilian species, and considering its favourable pharmacokinetic properties, tildipirosin may be useful in treating infections in these reptiles.

Pharmacokinetic disposition of marbofloxacin after intramuscular administration in estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus)

To date, the pharmacokinetics of fluoroquinolones in estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) have been reported for enrofloxacin but not for marbofloxacin (MBF), which is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used only in veterinary medicine. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of MBF after intramuscular administration at two difference dosages (2 and 4 mg/kg body weight) in estuarine crocodiles and estimated pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) surrogate parameters for the optimization of dosage regimens. Ten treated estuarine crocodiles were divided into two groups (n = 5) using a randomization procedure according to a parallel study design. Blood samples were collected at assigned times up to 168 h. MBF plasma samples were cleaned up using liquid-liquid extraction and analyzed using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection. A non-compartment approach was used to fit the plasma concentration of MBF vs time curve for each crocodile. The plasma concentrations of MBF were quantifiable for up to 168 h in both groups. The elimination half-life values of MBF were long (33.99 and 39.28 h for 2 and 4 mg/kg, respectively) with no significant differences between the groups. The average plasma protein binding of MBF was 30.85%. According to the surrogated PK/PD parameter (AUC0-24 -to-MIC ratio >100-125), the 2 and 4 mg/kg dosing rates should be effective for bacteria with MIC values lower than 0.125 μg/mL and 0.35 μg/mL, respectively.

Pharmacokinetic characteristics of azithromycin in freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) after intramuscular administration at three different dosages

The study evaluated the pharmacokinetic features of azithromycin (AZM) in 15 freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) in Thailand. The crocodiles were administered a single intramuscular (i.m.) injection of AZM at three different dosages of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Blood samples were collected at pre-assigned times up to 168 h. The plasma concentrations of AZM were measured using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. The plasma concentration of AZM were quantifiable for up to 168 h after i.m. administration at the three different dosages. A non-compartmental model was used to fit the plasma concentration of AZM versus the time curve for each crocodile. The elimination half-life values of AZM were 33.70, 38.11, and 34.80 h following i.m. injection after dosages of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg b.w., respectively. There were no significant differences among groups. The results indicated that the overall rate of elimination of AZM in freshwater crocodiles was relatively slow. The maximum concentration and area under the curve from zero to the last values of AZM increased in a dose-dependent fashion. The average binding percentage of AZM to plasma protein was 48.66%. Based on the pharmacokinetic data, the susceptibility break-point and the surrogate PK-PD index (T > MIC), the intramuscular administration of AZM at a dose of 10 mg/kg b.w. might be appropriate for the treatment of susceptible bacterial infections (MIC < 4 μg/ml) in freshwater crocodiles.

Pharmacokinetics of danofloxacin in freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) after intramuscular injection

The present study evaluated the pharmacokinetic profiles of danofloxacin (DNX) in freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis), following single intramuscular (i.m.) administrations at two different dosages of 6 and 12 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Blood samples were collected at assigned times up to 168 h. DNX in the harvested crocodile plasma was extracted using liquid-liquid extraction and analyzed using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method equipped with fluorescence detection. The pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a non-compartmental approach. DNX in plasma was quantifiable from 5 min to 168 h after i.m. administration at the two dosages in freshwater crocodiles. The area under the curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (C_max ) values increased in a dose-dependent fashion. Long elimination half-life (48.18 and 67.29 h) and low clearance (0.024 and 0.020 ml/g h) were obtained in the high- and low-dose groups, respectively. According to the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic surrogate (AUC_0-24h /MIC > 125), i.m. single administration of DNX at a dosage of 6 mg/kg b.w. is predicted to have antibacterial success for disease caused by bacteria with MIC < 0.04 μg/ml in the freshwater crocodile, C. siamensis.

Pharmacokinetic profiles of clarithromycin in freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis)

Clarithromycin (CLA) is a new β-lactamase-resistant macrolide antibiotic with potent activity against gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria. To the authors' best knowledge, limited pharmacokinetic information to establish suitable therapeutic plans is available for freshwater crocodiles. To assess the prudent use of antibiotic in reptiles, this study was conducted to explore the pharmacokinetic characteristics of CLA in the freshwater crocodile, Crocodylus siamensis, following either single intravenous (i.v.) or intramuscular (i.m.) administration at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Blood samples were collected at assigned times up to 168 h. CLA plasma samples were cleaned up using liquid-liquid extraction, and analysed by a validated liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). CLA was quantifiable from 5 min to 72 h after i.v. administration, whereas it was detectable for 168 after i.m. administration at an identical dose rate. A non-compartmental model was used to fit the plasma concentration of CLA versus time curve for each crocodile. The t_1/2λz value, similar for both routes (20 h), indicated that the overall rate of elimination of CLA in crocodiles is relatively slow. The average i.m. F% was complete. The protein plasma bound was found to be about 30%. CLA is a time-dependent antibiotic, and the T > MIC is the best PK/PD predictor for its efficacy. The CLA dosage of 2.5 mg/kg appeared to produce an appropriate value of the PK-PD surrogate that predicts antibacterial success for disease caused by susceptible bacteria.

Pharmacokinetics of a Long-Acting Formulation of Oxytetracycline in Freshwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) after Intramuscular Administration at Three Different Dosages

Simple Summary

The oxytetracycline long-acting formulation (OTC-LA) is used to treat sensitive pathogenic bacteria in the freshwater crocodile, Crocodylus siamensis. The pharmacokinetic profiles of differential dosages of OTC after intramuscular administration were investigated to determine the appropriate dosage for the treatment of bacterial infections in freshwater crocodiles. In freshwater crocodiles, dosages of 10 and 20 mg/kg produced OTC plasma concentrations higher than 2.0 µg/mL as a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for 192 h and 216 h after intramuscular administration, respectively, while the OTC plasma concentration remained below the MIC of 2.0 µg/mL at a dosage of 5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). When considering plasma protein binding of 32%, an intramuscular (i.m.) administration at a dosage of 10 mg/kg b.w. might be effective for two weeks to treat sensitive pathogenic bacteria in freshwater crocodiles.

Abstract

To date, the necessary pharmacokinetic information has been limited to establish suitable therapeutic plans for freshwater crocodiles. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of the oxytetracycline long-acting formulation (OTC-LA) in the freshwater crocodile, Crocodylus siamensis, following a single intramuscular (i.m.) administration at three different dosages of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Blood samples were collected at assigned times up to 216 h after i.m. administration at the three different dosages. The plasma concentrations of OTC were measured using a validated liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. The C_max (± SD) values of OTC were 2.15 ± 0.51 µg/mL, 7.68 ± 1.08 µg/mL and 17.08 ± 2.09 µg/mL at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg b.w., respectively. The elimination half-life values were 33.59 ± 2.51 h, 38.42 ± 5.47 h and 38.04 ± 1.98 h at dosages of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg b.w., respectively. Based on the pharmacokinetic data, the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) index, the susceptibility break-point and plasma protein binding, a dosage once every two weeks of 10 mg/kg b.w. OTC intramuscularly might be suitable for initiating the treatment of susceptible bacterial infections in freshwater crocodiles. However, further PK/PD studies are warranted to confirm whether the dose rates used in this study can produce longer-term antimicrobial success for diseases caused by susceptible bacteria in freshwater crocodiles.

Pharmacokinetic profiles of amoxicillin trihydrate in freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) after intramuscular administration at two doses

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the pharmacokinetic profiles of amoxicillin trihydrate (AMX) in Siamese freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis). Crocodiles were administered a single intramuscular injection of AMX, at a dose of either 5 or 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Blood samples were collected at preassigned times up to 120 hr. The plasma concentrations of AMX were measured using a validated liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry method. AMX plasma concentrations were quantifiable for up to 72 hr (5 mg/kg b.w.) and 96 hr (10 mg/kg b.w.). The elimination half-life (t_{1/2λ z} ) of AMX following dosing at 5 mg/kg b.w. (8.72 ± 0.61 hr) was almost identical to that following administration at 10 mg/kg b.w (8.98 ± 1.13 hr). The maximum concentration and area under the curve from zero to the last values of AMX increased in a dose-dependent fashion. The average binding percentage of AMX to plasma protein was 21.24%. Based on the pharmacokinetic data, susceptibility break point, and the surrogate PK-PD index (T > MIC, 0.25 μg/ml), intramuscular administration of AMX at dose of 5 mg/kg b.w. every 4 days might be appropriate for the treatment of susceptible bacterial infections in freshwater crocodiles.