A narrative review of the phenomenon of predatory journals to create awareness among researchers in veterinary medicine.

In recent years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of predatory journals has increased significantly. Predatory journals exploit the "open-access model" by engaging in deceptive practices such as charging high publication fees without providing the expected quality and performing insufficient or no peer review. Such behaviors undermine the integrity of scientific research and can result in researchers having trouble identifying reputable publication opportunities, particularly early-career researchers who struggle to understand and establish the correct criteria for publication in reputable journals. Publishing in journals that do not fully cover the criteria for scientific publication is also an ethical issue. This review aimed to describe the characteristics of predatory journals, differentiate between reliable and predatory journals, investigate the reasons that lead researchers to publish in predatory journals, evaluate the negative impact of predatory publications on the scientific community, and explore future perspectives. The authors also provide some considerations for researchers (particularly early-career researchers) when selecting journals for publication, explaining the role of metrics, databases, and artificial intelligence in manuscript preparation, with a specific focus on and relevance to publication in veterinary medicine.

In vitro and ex vivo antibacterial activity of levofloxacin against Pasteurella multocida and Escherichia coli isolated from rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) - A preliminary study.

Levofloxacin veterinary formulations are available in Argentina, China and India for the use in dogs, cattle, pig and sheep, but not currently in the rabbit. Only the extra-label use in rabbits is possible. Levofloxacin is not labelled for veterinary use in the EU or the USA. The activity of levofloxacin against rabbit pathogens Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) was evaluated. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined in broth and serum for 10 P. multocida isolates and 5 E. coli isolates from rabbits. One isolate of each bacterial species was used for the time-killing curve study in vitro and ex vivo. In vitro AUC24 /MIC ratios were used for building the inhibitory pharmacodynamic Imax model. The P. multocida MIC were 0.008-0.5 µg/mL, MBC - 0.015-0.5 µg/mL. Escherichia coli MIC was 0.008-0.03 µg/mL and MBC - 0.03-0.25 µg/mL. Bacterial counts were reduced to the limit of detection after 24 h with levofloxacin concentrations of 2 MIC and higher. All serum samples from rabbits treated with levofloxacin eliminated the bacteria within 24 h. AUC24 /MIC ratios for bacteriostatic, bactericidal and bacterial elimination effects for P. multocida and E. coli isolates were 21, 29 and 75 h and 27, 32 and 60 h, respectively. Proposed daily doses against P. multocida (MIC = 0.015 µg/mL) and E. coli (MIC = 0.03 µg/mL) isolates were calculated as ≤0.91 and ≤1.43 mg/kg, respectively. Fluoroquinolones are categorized by WHO as 'highest priority critically important antimicrobials'. Considering the increasing importance of antimicrobial stewardship, antimicrobials from a lower importance category that are active against the isolate of interest should be used in preference to fluoroquinolones. Fluoroquinolone use in veterinary medicine should be based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing in order to mitigate the risk to public health and prevent the spread of bacterial resistance.

Doxycycline pharmacokinetics in geese.

The study aims to describe the pharmacokinetics of doxycycline after a single intravenous and oral dose (20 mg/kg) in geese. In addition, two multiple-dose simulations have been performed to investigate the predicted plasma concentration after either a 10 or 20 mg/kg daily administration repeated consecutively for 5 days. Ten geese were enrolled in a two-phase cross-over study with a washout period of two weeks. All animals were treated intravenously and orally with doxycycline, and blood samples were collected up to 48 h after drug administration. Sample analysis was performed using a validated HPLC-UV method. A non-compartmental approach was used to evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters of the drug. A long elimination half-life was observed (13 h). The area under the curve was statistically different between the two treatments, with the oral bioavailability being moderate (43%). The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic index (%T>MIC) during the 48 h treatment period in the present study (71%) suggests that doxycycline appears to have therapeutic efficacy against some Mycoplasma species in the goose. The multiple-dose simulations showed a low accumulation index. A dosage of 10 mg/kg/day for 5 days seemed to be adequate for a good therapeutic efficacy without reaching unnecessarily high plasma concentrations.

Levofloxacin in veterinary medicine: a literature review.

A potent third-generation antimicrobial fluoroquinolone drug, levofloxacin was introduced into human clinical practice in 1993. Levofloxacin is also used in veterinary medicine, however its use is limited: it is completely banned for veterinary use in the EU, and used extralabel in only companion animals in the USA. Since its introduction to clinical practice, many studies have been published on levofloxacin in animal species, including pharmacokinetic studies, tissue drug depletion, efficacy, and animal microbial isolate susceptibility to levofloxacin. This literature overview highlights the most clinically relevant and scientifically important levofloxacin studies linked to the field of veterinary medicine.

Pharmacokinetic profiles of levofloxacin after intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration to rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Levofloxacin pharmacokinetic profiles were evaluated in 6 healthy female rabbits after intravenous (I/V), intramuscular (I/M), or subcutaneous (S/C) administration routes at a single dose of 5 mg/kg in a 3 × 3 cross-over study. Plasma levofloxacin concentrations were detected using a validated Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography method with a fluorescence detector. Levofloxacin was quantifiable up to 10 h post-drug administration. Mean AUC0-last values of 9.03 ± 2.66, 9.07 ± 1.80, and 9.28 ± 1.56 mg/h*L were obtained via I/V, I/M, and S/C, respectively. Plasma clearance was 0.6 mL/g*h after I/V administration. Peak plasma concentrations using the I/M and S/C routes were 3.33 ± 0.39 and 2.91 ± 0.56 µg/mL. Bioavailability values, after extravascular administration were complete, - 105% ± 27% (I/M) and 118% ± 40% (S/C). Average extraction ratio of levofloxacin after I/V administration was 7%. Additionally, levofloxacin administration effects on tear production and osmolarity were evaluated. Tear osmolarity decreased within 48 h post-drug administration. All 3 levofloxacin administration routes produced similar pharmacokinetic profiles. The studied dose is unlikely to be effective in rabbits; however, it was calculated that a daily dose of 29 mg/kg appears effective for I/V administration for pathogens with MIC < 0.5 µg/mL.

Pharmacokinetic profiles of metamizole (dipyrone) active metabolites in goats and its residues in milk.

Metamizole (dipyrone, MET) is a nonopioid analgesic drug commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to assess two major active metabolites of MET, 4-methylaminoantipyrin (MAA) and 4-aminoantipyrin (AA), in goat plasma after intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration. In addition, metabolite concentration in milk was monitored after IM injection. Six healthy female goats received MET at a dose of 25 mg/kg by IV and IM routes in a crossover design study. The blood and milk samples were analyzed using HPLC coupled with ultraviolet detector and the plasma vs concentration curves analyzed by a noncompartmental model. In the goat, the MET rapidly converted into MAA and the mean maximum concentration was 183.97 µg/ml (at 0.08 hr) and 51.94 µg/ml (at 0.70 hr) after IV and IM administration, respectively. The area under the curve and mean residual time values were higher in the IM than the IV administered goats. The average concentration of AA was lower than MAA in both groups. Over 1 µg/ml of MAA was found in the milk (at 48 hr) after MET IM administration. In conclusion, IM is considered to be a better administration route in terms of its complete absorption with long persistence in the plasma. However, this therapeutic option should be considered in light of the likelihood of there being milk residue.