Tissue/fluid correlation study for the depletion of sulfadimethoxine in bovine kidney, liver, plasma, urine, and oral fluid.

Sulfonamides are among the oldest, but still effective, antimicrobial veterinary medicines. In steers and dairy cows, the sulfonamides are effective in the treatment of respiratory disease and general infections. Sulfadimethoxine (SDM) has been approved by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in steers and dairy cows with a tolerance of 100 ng/g (ppb) in edible tissues and 10 ppb in milk. The detection of SDM residue above tolerance in the animal slaughtered for food process will result in the whole carcass being discarded. This report describes a comprehensive depletion study of SDM (and its main metabolite) in plasma, urine, oral fluid, kidney, and liver. In this study, nine steers were injected intravenously with the approved dose of SDM; the loading dose was 55 mg/kg, followed by 27.5 mg/kg dose at 24 h and again at 48 h. Fluids (blood, urine, and saliva) and tissue (liver and kidney) samples were collected at intervals after the last dose of SMD. The combination of laparoscopic serial sampling technique with the liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method provided the data to establish the tissue/fluid correlation in the depletion of SMD. A strong correlation and linearity of the log-scale concentration over time in the depletion stage has been confirmed for kidney, liver, and plasma.

Determination of sulfadimethoxine and 4N-acetylsulfadimethoxine in bovine plasma, urine, oral fluid, and kidney and liver biopsy samples obtained surgically from standing animals by LC/MS/MS.

A quantitative method was developed and validated to measure the concentration of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) and its major metabolite, (4)N-acetylsulfadimethoxine (AcSDM), in bovine tissues and body fluids. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) gave quantitative results for these two analytes in extracts from bovine plasma, urine, oral fluid, kidney, and liver, using SDM-d(4) as internal standard (I.S.). The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) for both analytes in these matrices was validated at 2, 100, and 5 ng/mL in plasma, urine, and oral fluid respectively, and 10 ng/g in both kidney (cortex) and liver. The overall accuracy (average of 4 levels) is, for plasma, 104% (SDM) and 95% (AcSDM), with standard deviation of 9% (SDM) and 15% (AcSDM); for urine, 100% (SDM) and 106% (AcSDM), with standard deviation of 5% (SDM) and 6% (AcSDM); for oral fluid, 103% (SDM) and 103% (AcSDM), with standard deviation of 4% (SDM) and 4% (AcSDM); for kidney, 101% (SDM) and 111% (AcSDM), with standard deviation of 7% (SDM) and 6% (AcSDM); and for liver, 99% (SDM) and 115% (AcSDM), with standard deviation of 11% (SDM) and 9% (AcSDM). C18 SPE cartridges were used to clean-up these matrices, except for urine which was diluted directly with buffer before analysis by LC/MS/MS.

Field evaluation of a dog owner, participation-based, bait delivery system for the oral immunization of dogs against rabies in Tunisia.

We evaluated a dog owner, participation-based, bait delivery system for the oral immunization of dogs against rabies. In a field study in a semirural area of northern Tunisia, dog owners were asked to come to temporary bait delivery sites. A total of 314 baits were given to 178 dog owners in four sites. The experimental baits used consisted of a freeze-dried core unit containing sulfadimethoxine (SDM) as a biological marker and an aromatized paraffin envelope. No vaccine was used. Preliminary tests had shown that by using a rapid commercial card test, positive SDM serum levels were detected in more than 95% of dogs up to two days after bait ingestion. During the two days following bait delivery, we visited more than 95% of all households in the study area and took blood samples from as many owned dogs as possible. Unconsumed baits were recovered and human contacts with the bait matrix were recorded. The campaign required 7.6 person-min per bait and 13.5 person-min per dog owner for providing baits, gloves, and instructions. The estimated average cost effectiveness ratio per dog accepting a bait was 1.7 US dollars. From the indications given by the dog owners and the results of the SDM test, it was concluded that 85-90% of the owned dogs in the study area had consumed a bait at least partially. Of 314 baits delivered, 78.7% were fully consumed by dogs and 4.1% were recovered during the household survey. The remaining baits (17.2%) that were not recovered were either not consumed or only partially consumed by the target dogs (3.7 baits per 100 inhabitants). These baits probably remained within the highly populated areas and were potentially accessible to other domestic animals and other nontarget species, including humans. Twenty-five unprotected human contacts with baits were recorded (1.7% of all inhabitants). Our study has demonstrated the potential of dog owner based bait delivery. This technique is simple and efficient, particularly if the human population is accustomed to mass immunization in defined centers. Before applying this method on a large scale with live vaccine loaded baits, further studies should focus on minimizing the number of human contacts with the vaccine bait, systematizing contact identification and establishing structures in ensuring proper treatment if exposure to vaccine should occur.

Improved procedure for the determination of protein binding by conventional equilibrium dialysis.

The binding of drugs to plasma proteins has been studied extensively using a variety of methods, including equilibrium dialysis. Published information on controls used in these studies is frequently inadequate; in other cases, there are deficiencies in the experimental design for the controls. A method is described that eliminates many of the problems associated with artifactual errors in dialysis studies. Multiple replicated controls are performed at the same time as the test, under identical conditions. The controls are used to correct for concentration-dependent binding of drug to the membrane or other equipment. The method was used to determine the binding of sulfadimethoxine to CF-IV-1 alpha-globulin at therapeutic concentrations. The level of binding was low (9-13%), but the stringent control technique permitted statistical analysis which showed each mean test value to be significantly different from its corresponding control. Furthermore, there was a linear relationship between the control-corrected percentage binding values and total drug concentration, whereas there was no correlation between total drug concentration and the uncorrected percentage binding values.

Binding of sulfadimethoxine to isolated human blood protein fractions.

The binding of sulfadimethoxine to selected human blood protein fractions and to fresh serum has been examined by means of a new equilibrium dialysis technique which minimizes experimental error and permits the evaluation of low-level binding. Certain alpha-globulin fractions, containing mixtures of proteins, were found to bind the drug. Scatchard analysis of the binding of sulfadimethoxine to fresh serum, calculated as though all of the binding is due to albumin, gives a different result from that obtained with isolated albumin. This may be a reflection of the contribution of the alpha-globulins to the overall binding of sulfadimethoxine in fresh serum. Although sulfadimethoxine is amphoteric, it did not bind to the alpha 1-acid glycoprotein. The drug behaves as an acidic compound when binding to the blood proteins.

Determination of sulfadimethoxine, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim and their main metabolites in porcine plasma by column switching HPLC.

A HPLC method for the determination of sulfadimethoxine, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim and their main metabolites in porcine plasma is reported. The metabolites under investigation were the N4-acetyl sulfonamides and 3'- and 4'-demethyl trimethoprim. In order to obtain a sensitivity of 25-50 ng ml-1, the application of column switching HPLC was investigated. An on-line preconcentration of the drugs and metabolites was preceded by an off-line sample pre-treatment. Parent compounds and metabolites were separated by reversed-phase HPLC followed by UV-detection. The mean recoveries for 4'-demethyl trimethoprim were greater than 80% while the mean recoveries for the other compounds were greater than 90%. Application of the method for analysis of plasma samples obtained from pharmacokinetic studies is described.

Renal tubular excretion of the N4-acetyl metabolites of sulphasomidine and sulphadimethoxine in the dog.

To investigate whether dogs are able to excrete acetylated drugs by active transport, the plasma kinetics and renal excretion of the N4-acetyl metabolites of sulphasomidine and sulphadimethoxine were studied in the beagle dog after a rapid intravenous bolus injection. Two doses of N4-acetylsulphasomidine (1050 and 105 mg) and one dose of N4-acetylsulphadimethoxine (472 mg) were administered on separate occasions. The renal clearance (CLR) was as follows: N4-acetylsulphasomidine (1050 mg) 34 mL min-1; N4-acetylsulphasomidine (105 mg) 28 mL min-1; and N4-acetylsulphadimethoxine (472 mg) 24 mL min-1. CLR was higher than expected on the basis of the measured glomerular filtration rate, indicating that the N4-acetyl metabolites may be excreted by the renal tubules by active tubular transport. Saturation of the excretion process of N4-acetylsulphasomidine occurred with a transport maximum of 930 +/- 190 micrograms min-1 and a Michaelis-Menten constant of 37 +/- 10 micrograms mL-1. It may be concluded that the dog renal organic anion transport system is able to secrete acetylated sulphonamides.

Distribution and elimination of sulphadimethoxine and its metabolites in treated chicken.

Sulphadimethoxine (SDM), and its metabolites, N4-acetyl SDM, N1-(2-methyl-6-hydroxy-4-pyrimidinyl) sulphanilamide (6-OH-SDM), N1-(6-methyl-2-hydroxy-4-pyrimidinyl) sulphanilamide (2-OH-SDM), N1-(2,6-dihydroxy-4-pyrimidinyl) sulphanilamide (2,6-diOH-SDM) and SDM N1-glucuronide in chicken tissues were extracted, partially purified by Bond Elute SCX cartridges, and assayed and identified by HPLC/LC-MS after administration of SDM to chickens. During the administration and 24 h after withdrawal, SDM and 6-OH-SDM were observed in almost all tissues and excreta. N4-Acetyl SDM and 2,6-diOH-SDM were observed in some tissues, but 2-OH-SDM and SDM N1-glucuronide were observed in a few limited tissues. Twenty four hours after withdrawal, SDM and its metabolites, except 6-OH-SDM, decreased. SDM and its metabolites were eliminated from all tissues within 48 h of withdrawal.

Pharmacokinetics of sulphadimethoxine in cattle.

Four healthy Angus steers received a single rapid intravenous injection of sulphadimethoxine at a dose of approximately 55 mg/kg. The elimination half-life determined from plasma concentration-time data was approximately 12-5 h, and the volume of distribution was 31-0 per cent of body weight. Animals also received sulphadimethoxine intravenously or orally at a loading dose of approximately 55 mg/kg, followed by sustaining oral doses of approximately 27-5 mg/kg at 24, 48 and 72 h. It was demonstrated that oral maintenance doses served to sustain sulphonamide plasma concentrations achieved with the loading dose.

Comparison of four methods for the determination of sulphonamide concentrations in human plasma.

Analysis of sulphadimethoxine in plasma from patients treated with this drug was performed with four chemical methods: Rieder's modification of the Bratton-Marshall technique and author's modification of the Morris technique, which are supposed to measure "potentially active fraction of sulphonamides", i.e., mainly unchanged sulphonamide; the Bratton-Marshall method, which enables the determination of "free sulphonamide", i.e., the sum of unchanged sulphonamide and glucuronide conjugate; and high performance liquid chromatography which made possible the determination of unchanged sulphadimethoxine. The spectrophotometric methods based upon Bratton-Marshall reaction gave very few higher results as compared with liquid chromatography. The differences between spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods were small; therefore, all four methods can be used for determination of sulphonamide concentrations in plasma during monitored treatment with these drugs.

Pharmacokinetics and body fluid and endometrial concentrations of ormetoprim-sulfadimethoxine in mares.

Six healthy adult mares were each given an oral loading dose of ormetoprim(OMP)-sulfadimethoxine (SDM) at a dosage of 9.2 mg of OMP/kg and 45.8 mg of SDM/kg, followed by four maintenance doses of 4.6 mg of OMP/kg and 22.9 mg of SDM/kg, at 24 h intervals. Ormetoprim and SDM concentrations were measured in serum, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, urine and endometrium. The highest mean serum OMP concentration was 0.92 micrograms/mL 0.5 h after the first dose; the highest mean SDM concentration was 80.9 micrograms/mL 8 h after the first dose. The highest mean synovial fluid concentrations were 0.14 microgram of OMP/mL and 28.5 micrograms of SDM/mL 12 h after the first dose. The highest mean peritoneal fluid concentrations were 0.19 micrograms of OMP/mL 6 h after the first dose and 25.5 micrograms of SDM/mL 8 h after the fifth dose. The highest mean endometrial concentrations were 0.56 micrograms of OMP/g and 28.5 micrograms of SDM/g 4 h after the fifth dose. The mean cerebrospinal fluid concentrations were 0.08 micrograms of OMP/mL and 2.1 micrograms of SDM/mL 5 h after the fifth dose. Mean trough urine drug concentrations were greater than or equal to 0.4 micrograms of OMP/mL and greater than or equal to 172 micrograms of SDM/mL. Two of the mares were each given a single intravenous (IV) injection of OMP and SDM at a dosage of 9.2 mg of OMP/kg and 45.8 mg of SDM/kg. Excitation and muscle fasciculations were observed in both mares after IV administration and all scheduled blood samples could be collected from only one of the two mares.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Extraction and liquid chromatographic analysis of sulfadimethoxine and 4-N-acetylsulfadimethoxine residues in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) muscle and plasma.

A simple and rapid method was developed for the simultaneous extraction and liquid chromatographic (LC) determination of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) and 4-N-acetylsulfadimethoxine (N-acetyl SDM) in channel catfish muscle and plasma. Tissues fortified at 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 1000 ppb were examined. Matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) was used for muscle extraction. Plasma was extracted with a modified MSPD procedure in which 100 microL plasma and 400 mg C18 were blended by Vortex mixing in a disposable chromatographic column. Recovery of SDM based on radioactivity was 79% for muscle and 67% for plasma. Standard curves based on extracted fortified samples were used for quantitation of N-acetyl SDM. LC run times of 12 min were obtained using a microbore analytical column and an isocratic mobile phase of aqueous 0.017M phosphoric acid-acetonitrile at ratios of 71:29 for muscle and 73:27 for plasma extracts. Method detection limits were 26 ng SDM and 26 ng N-acetyl SDM/g muscle, and 33 ng SDM and 11 ng N-acetyl SDM/mL plasma. Intra-assay variation was < 10% for both compounds at all concentrations examined. Inter-assay variation for SDM was 13% for muscle and 14% for plasma, and for N-acetyl SDM was 11% for muscle and 10% for plasma.

Tissue sulfonamide concentration and correlation in turkeys.

Nineteen hen turkeys (10 to 12 kg each) were used in a feeding study to determine sulfadimethoxine and sulfaquinoxaline concentrations in blood serum, liver, and skeletal muscle, as well as the respective ratios at selected withdrawal intervals. Two feeds were prepared by use of premixes to achieve 60 mg of sulfadimethoxine/kg and 100 mg of sulfaquinoxaline/kg, respectively. Each of the medicated feeds was given to 9 turkeys for 7 days. The turkeys were then fed nonmedicated feed at intervals from 24 to 56 hours and were slaughtered. One turkey was used as control. The serum/liver and serum/muscle ratios for sulfaquinoxaline were 60 to 70% higher than for sulfadimethoxine. However, the liver/muscle ratio for both sulfonamides was equivalent, approximately 3. Disposition of both sulfonamides approximated first-order pharmacokinetics. The calculated half-life of sulfadimethoxine was half that of sulfaquinoxaline, approximately 16 vs 30 hours. The coefficients of variation in the serum/tissue ratios for both sulfonamides were between 13% and 25% for serum/liver and less than 15% for serum/muscle, indicating excellent potential for using serum as a predictor of actionable concentrations of sulfonamide residues.

Pharmacokinetic study of sulfadimethoxine depletion in suckling and growing pigs.

Sulfadimethoxine was administered (IV) to suckling pigs (1 to 2 weeks old) and to growing pigs (11 to 12 weeks old) at a dosage of 55 mg/kg of body weight (single dose). Blood samples were collected over a 48-hour period, and the animals euthanatized were used for measurements of plasma and tissue concentrations of the drug. The blood data were described, using a one-compartment pharmacokinetic model. The blood concentration curves for the two groups of pigs had a consistent depletion pattern with greater than therapeutic concentrations (50 micrograms/ml) of the drug persisting through 12 hours after the drug was given. Sulfonamide blood concentrations were 4 and 11 times that of the method sensitivities in the older (growing) and younger (suckling) pigs, respectively, at 48 hours after treatment. In four of the five pharmacokinetic variables studied, a significantly higher (P less than 0.01) degree of efficiency was observed in the ability of the older pigs to eliminate the drug than in the younger pigs.

Sulfadimethoxine and rhodamine B as oral biomarkers for European badgers (Meles meles).

A field study was carried out on Little Island (County Waterford, Ireland) in June 2000 to evaluate the potential of a bait-marking system for use in European badgers (Meles meles). Two oral biomarkers, sulfadimethoxine (SDM) and rhodamine B, were incorporated into fishmeal baits and distributed by hand at main sets in five test territories for 3 consecutive days. In parallel, non-biomarked baits were distributed at a single control territory. The objectives of the study were to: (1) assess the effects of SDM and rhodamine B on palatability and thus bait acceptance, and (2) investigate the marking capacity of SDM and rhodamine B in serum and hair samples taken from badgers. Trapping was carried out in each territory for 5 consecutive days immediately after bait distribution. Analysis of data revealed that 90-100% of baits were removed in four of the test territories and from the control territory. In the fifth test territory, 61% of baits were removed. Of the badgers (n = 26) trapped in the test territories, 18 (69%) were positive when tested for both biomarkers. In contrast, the remaining eight animals and those captured in the control territory (n = 6 badgers) were negative. In the marked animals, the highest levels of SDM were recorded in serum samples taken soon after bait distribution. Thereafter, the levels declined in each badger over the course of the study. In contrast, rhodamine B was readily detectable by fluorescence microscopy of hair samples throughout the period of study. The results indicate that SDM and rhodamine B act as systemic markers in badgers and have potential future applications for monitoring of oral vaccine uptake.

Accumulation rate in the whole blood of market turkeys fed prophylactic and therapeutic levels of sulfadimethoxine.

A study was conducted to determine the accumulation of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) in the blood of market turkeys. Fifty-two 12-week-old female turkeys were fed SDM at either prophylactic or therapeutic levels, .00625 and .03125% (w/w), respectively, for 24 days. A semiqualitative test, the Whole Blood Sulfa Test (WBST), was used to determine sulfa levels in the whole blood. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hr for the first day for both groups after the incorporation of SDM in the feed. Blood sampling was continued at 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 days in the prophylactic treatment and at 2, 3, 12, and 24 days in the therapeutic treatment. Six birds were chosen at random from each drug level for the sampling period. The blood concentration of SDM reached a plateau of about 1 ppm after 15 days of feeding with the highest level of about 1.2 ppm attained at 14 days in the prophylactic treatment. In the therapeutic treatment, the level of SDM in the whole blood leveled at 24 hr at approximately 4 ppm, and the highest levels of 30 ppm were attained at 11 days on the drug.

An on-farm method for determination of sulfonamide drug residues in turkeys. 1. An agar-diffusion analysis for sulfadimethoxine in whole blood.

A simple and inexpensive sulfonamide-screening test was evaluated using turkeys. An agar-diffusion procedure was developed to estimate the levels of sulfonamides in the edible tissues of turkeys by determining the drug level in whole blood. The analysis was adapted for use on whole blood that was easily collected from live birds on the farm with minimal equipment and skill. This Whole Blood Sulfa Test (WBST) was quantified by the use of a standard curve and was successfully applied to on-farm use in the Pacific Northwest. Agar plates were prepared using fortified Mueller-Hinton medium. Bacillus megaterium spores were applied to the agar to form confluent growth, and paper discs (10 mm) were laid onto the agar. Whole blood was collected from commercial turkeys prior to marketing, and the blood was immediately applied to the test paper discs. After incubation, blood that contained sulfa inhibited bacterial growth around the disc, and the clear zones of inhibition were measured. The WBST was consistently accurate to 1.22 ppm, and sulfa levels were detected as low as .04 ppm. Results were attained in 12 hr and were relatively inexpensive at $3.00/test/flock.

Nonlinear pharmacokinetics of intravenous sulphadimethoxine and its dosage regimen in pigs.

The time courses of the total (Ct) and unbound plasma (Cf) concentration after the i.v. injection of 20, 50 and 100 mg/kg of sulphadimethoxine (SDM) were examined in pigs. The area under the Ct-time curve per unit dose decreased dose-dependently. Vdarea and total body clearance of Ct increased dose-dependently. The concentration-dependent plasma protein binding of SDM was evident after 50 and 100 mg/kg. The time courses of Cf en Ct after 3 doses were analyzed by a one compartment open model with nonlinear plasma protein binding. The agreement between calculated curves of Cf and Ct and the observed values, and relative constancy of pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained over 3 doses. These results suggested that the nonlinear pharmacokinetics of SDM was caused by saturable plasma protein binding. The multiple i.v. dose of SDM was based on the dosage regimen using the nonlinear pharmacokinetic model (50 mg/kg, 24 hour interval, 4 days). The observed Cf was maintained in the intended range by the dosage regimen. Therefore, the dosage regimen based on the nonlinear pharmacokinetics may allow the unbound concentration after i.v. injection of SDM in pigs to be controlled.

The role of plasma protein binding on the metabolism and renal excretion of sulphadimethoxine and its metabolite N4-acetylsulphadimethoxine in pigs.

The effects of plasma protein binding on the elimination of sulphadimethoxine (SDM) were examined after intravenous administration of 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg to pigs. At an early stage of the experiment, the animals were anaesthetised by inhalation of enflurane to obtain a more exact relationship between plasma concentration and the renal excretion. SDM and its acetylated conjugate, N4-acetylsulphadimethoxine (N4-SDM) were detected in plasma and urine of all animals, and the recovery of the doses was almost complete in two animals with negligible renal excretion of SDM. The percentages of plasma protein binding of SDM and N4-SDM were almost similar, and ranged from 30 to 95%, depending on the plasma concentration. The metabolic clearance of SDM by acetylation increased when the plasma protein binding decreased. These results suggested that the main elimination route of SDM in pigs is acetylation, and that the plasma protein binding can have a large effect on the elimination of SDM in pigs. The effect of plasma protein binding on the renal clearance of SDM was not so evident, because urine pH had a much greater effect on it. The deacetylation of N4-SDM was detected after 25 mg/kg intravenous administration of N4-SDM, which suggests that the metabolic clearance of SDM is part of an acetylation-deacetylation equilibrium. Saturation of the active tubular reabsorption of SDM and of the active tubular secretion of N4-SDM was also suggested after higher doses of SDM.

Pharmacokinetics of sulfadimethoxine and sulfamethoxazole in combination with trimethoprim after oral single- and multiple-dose administration to healthy pigs.

The pharmacokinetics were studied of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) or sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in combination with trimethoprim (TMP) administered as a single oral dose (25 mg + 5 mg per kg body weight) to two groups of 6 healthy pigs. The elimination half-lives of SMX and TMP were quite similar (2-3 h); SDM had a relatively long half-life of 13 h. Both sulfonamides (S) were exclusively metabolized to N4-acetyl derivatives but to different extents. The main metabolic pathway for TMP was O-demethylation and subsequent conjugation. In addition, the plasma concentrations of these drugs and their main metabolites after medication with different in-feed concentrations were determined. The drug (S:TMP) concentrations in the feed were 250:50, 500:100, and 1000:200 mg per kg. Steady-state concentrations were achieved within 48 h of feed medication, twice daily (SDM+TMP) or three times a day (SMX+TMP). Protein binding of SDM and its metabolite was high (>93%), whereas SMX, TMP and their metabolites showed moderate binding (48-75%). Feed medication with 500 ppm sulfonamide combined with 100 ppm TMP provided minimum steady-state plasma concentrations (C(ss,min)) higher than the concentration required for inhibition of the growth of 90% of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae strains (n = 20).