Anatomical and physiological basis for the allometric scaling of cisplatin clearance in dogs.

Cisplatin is a platinum-containing cytotoxic drug indicated for the treatment of solid tumors in veterinary and human patients. Several of the algorithms used to standardize the doses of cytotoxic drugs utilize allometry, or the nonproportional relationships between anatomical and physiological variables, but the underlying basis for these relationships is poorly understood. The objective of this proof of concept study was to determine whether allometric equations explain the relationships between body weight, kidney weight, renal physiology, and clearance of a model, renally cleared anticancer agent in dogs. Postmortem body, kidney, and heart weights were collected from 364 dogs (127 juveniles and 237 adults, including 51 dogs ≥ 8 years of age). Renal physiological and cisplatin pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in ten intact male dogs including two juvenile and eight adult dogs (4-55 kg). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow, effective renal blood flow, renal cisplatin clearance, and total cisplatin clearance were allometrically related to body weight with powers of 0.75, 0.59, 0.61, 0.71, and 0.70, respectively. The similar values of these diverse mass exponents suggest a common underlying basis for the allometry of kidney size, renal physiology, and renal drug handling.

To Madagascar and back: long-distance, return migration across open ocean by a pregnant female bull shark Carcharhinus leucas.

A large, pregnant, female bull shark Carcharhinus leucas was tracked migrating from Seychelles across open ocean to south-east Madagascar, c. 2000 km away, and back again. In Madagascar, the shark spent a prolonged period shallower than 5 m, consistent with entering estuarine habitat to pup, and upon return to Seychelles the shark was slender and no longer gravid. This represents an unprecedented return migration across the open ocean for a C. leucas and highlights the need for international collaboration to manage the regional C. leucas population sustainably.

Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin-induced synthesis of eicosanoids by bovine neutrophils in vitro.

Exposure of isolated bovine neutrophils to partially purified Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin caused increased synthesis of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) but not thromboxane B2 (TXB2) from endogenous arachidonic acid. Synthesis of LTB4 was closely correlated with leukotoxin-induced neutrophil lysis. At low toxin concentrations, LTB4 production lagged behind leukotoxin-induced neutrophil lysis over a 3-h period. The neutralizing monoclonal antileukotoxin antibody MM601 neutralized both leukotoxin-induced neutrophil lysis and LTB4 synthesis. Both leukotoxin-induced neutrophil lysis and LTB4 synthesis were Ca(2+)-dependent. When leukotoxin-induced LTB4 synthesis from exogenous arachidonic acid was examined, significant LTB4 synthesis occurred at 5 min of leukotoxin exposure, which was before leukotoxin-induced lysis developed. Leukotoxin-induced LTB4 synthesis from endogenous arachidonic acid appears to require leukotoxin-induced plasma membrane damage (occurring during neutrophil lysis), whereas LTB4 synthesis from exogenous arachidonic acid is initiated rapidly and occurs in the absence of plasma membrane damage.

Cerebral siderosis: a complication of anticoagulant therapy?

The authors report a case of cerebral siderosis, a rare disease that generally follows multiple small episodes of subarachnoid hemorrhage from any source, following long-term anticoagulation and minor head injury, and document the features on MR, which demonstrates characteristic hypointensity in the meninges on T2-weighted scans.

Neurological manifestations of Paget's disease.

The neurological features of 96 patients whose skull and spinal X-rays showed the features of Paget's disease of bone were reviewed. The clinical phenomena were compared with those in another group of patients, identified by having a normal skull X-ray. Cranial nerve lesions and spinal syndromes could be attributed to the Paget's disease in many cases but the evidence did not suggest that other clinical phenomena such as dementia and epilepsy were related to the bony changes. Amongst cranial nerve lesions deafness is certainly attributable to Paget's disease, hemifacial spasm when combined with other signs is probably related, and possibly also trigeminal neuralgia. Basilar invagination can be asymptomatic, but deafness, hemifacial spasm and pyramidal signs were more prevalent in its presence. The importance of reviewing the cause and effect relationship between Paget's disease and neurological problems is discussed in the context of the therapeutic use of calcitonin.

Subcutaneously implanted tissue chambers: a pathophysiological study.

Tissue and fluid changes occurring within tissue chambers were characterised as a function of time after subcutaneous implantation in cattle. Cytological and chemical investigation revealed that the composition of fluid within chambers approached the theoretical composition of true interstitial fluid as time after implantation progressed. Erythrocyte and leucocyte numbers decreased sharply immediately after implantation and had reached stable numbers by 40 days after implantation. At this stage, chamber fluid samples had lower total protein and albumin concentrations, higher K+ and Cl- concentrations and lower pH than corresponding blood samples. Despite an ongoing low-grade chronic inflammatory reaction resulting in fibrous encapsulation of chambers, the vascularity of chamber tissue did not diminish with time after implantation. By 40 days after implantation, the cellular and chemical constituents had stabilised enough to allow use of the model to study drug distribution.

Distribution of intramuscularly administered erythromycin into subcutaneous tissue chambers before and after inoculation with Pasteurella haemolytica.

Distribution of erythromycin into subcutaneous tissue chambers was characterised pharmacokinetically and the effect of Pasteurella haemolytica infection on the extent of penetration was studied. Thermoplastic tissue chambers were implanted subcutaneously in the paralumbar fossae of six calves. Thirty-five days after implantation, the tissue chamber distribution of intramuscularly administered erythromycin (30 mg kg-1) was studied. Chambers were then inoculated with P haemolytica and the tissue chamber pharmacokinetics of erythromycin were again studied. Diffusion of erythromycin into tissue chambers was best described using a two-compartment model with tissue chambers representing a relatively inaccessible compartment. Despite changes in chamber fluid pH, the extent of erythromycin penetration into chambers was not affected by P haemolytica inoculation. Comparison of computer simulated concentration-time curves resulting from different routes of administration revealed that penetration of erythromycin into less accessible sites was more likely to be higher after intravenous administration than after intramuscular administration.

Effect of Pasteurella haemolytica infection on alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and albumin concentrations in serum and subcutaneous tissue chamber fluid of calves.

Thermoplastic tissue chambers were implanted subcutaneously in the paralumbar fossae of 10 calves. Concentrations of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) and albumin in serum and subcutaneous tissue chamber fluid were measured before and after inoculation of Pasteurella haemolytica into tissue chambers. Two months after implantation, serum and tissue chamber fluid samples were collected and all tissue chambers were then inoculated with P haemolytica. Additional serum and chamber fluid samples were collected two, four, six and 10 days after inoculation. The concentrations of AAG and albumin in the samples were measured by radial immunodiffusion assay and the bromcresol method, respectively. P haemolytica inoculation resulted in an increase in the serum and chamber fluid AAG concentrations and an increase in chamber fluid albumin concentrations, suggesting that the proportion of drugs bound to serum and interstitial proteins may be affected by P haemolytica infection.

In vivo effect of Pasteurella haemolytica infection on bovine neutrophil morphology.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether characteristic changes in neutrophil morphology caused in vitro by Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin (LKT) can be observed in vivo by electron microscopic examination of infected tissue chamber fluids and pneumonic lungs. ANIMALS: 7 mixed-breed beef calves. PROCEDURE: Tissue chambers were implanted subcutaneously in 3 calves and were inoculated with P haemolytica or phosphate-buffered saline solution. Chamber fluid samples, obtained at 8 and 32 hours after inoculation, were examined, using electron microscopy. Experimental pneumonia was induced in an additional 4 calves by transthoracic inoculation with P haemolytica. These calves were euthanatized at 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours after inoculation and lung sections were examined, using transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: On examination, using transmission electron microscopy, neutrophils in lung sections and tissue chamber fluids had cytoplasmic and nuclear changes indicative of irreversible cell injury, including cell swelling, loss of plasma membrane ruffling, mitochondrial swelling, autolytic vacuolation, disruption of plasma membrane, nuclear pyknosis, karyolysis, and karyorrhexis. On examination, using scanning electron microscopy, leukocytes obtained from tissue chambers did not have their typical convoluted surfaces, but appeared rounded and swollen or shrunken with pitted surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: Pasteurella haemolytica-induced changes in neutrophil morphology in vivo were similar to those previously induced by in vitro exposure of neutrophils to LKT. Changes were suggestive of injury initiated by damage to the plasma membrane, which is consistent with the mechanism of action of pore-forming cytolysins. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pasteurella haemolytica LKT appears to be an important virulence factor in vivo; a fact that should be addressed in the development of vaccines.

Effect of Pasteurella haemolytica infection on the distribution of sulfadiazine and trimethoprim into tissue chambers implanted subcutaneously in cattle.

A study was designed to determine the effect of Pasteurella haemolytica infection on the rate and extent of penetration of sulfadiazine and trimethoprim into tissue chambers implanted SC in cattle. Thermoplastic tissue chambers were implanted SC in 6 calves. At 35 days after implantation, sulfadiazine (25 mg/kg of body weight) and trimethoprim (5 mg/kg) were administered IV to 5 of the calves. Chamber fluid and blood samples were collected from each animal at various time intervals for 24 hours after administration. Ten days later, all chambers were inoculated with P haemolytica serotype 1. At 36 hours after inoculation, a second pharmacokinetic study was conducted, using sulfadiazine and trimethoprim. Drug doses and sampling schedules were identical to those used prior to inoculation. A histologic study of infected chamber tissue was conducted, using the calf not included in the pharmacokinetic studies. Disposition curves of antimicrobials in serum and chamber fluid were well described by 2-compartment and 1-compartment pharmacokinetic models, respectively. Inoculation of P haemolytica into tissue chambers was accompanied by marked changes in the composition of chamber fluid. Increased total protein and albumin concentrations, decreased pH, and disruption of chamber tissue vasculature were associated with a significant increase in the penetration of sulfadiazine and trimethoprim into infected tissue chambers, compared with that in noninfected chambers. This increased penetration was accompanied by increases in the apparent volume of distribution for sulfadiazine and trimethoprim.

Interaction between Pasteurella haemolytica, sulfadiazine/trimethoprim, and bovine viral diarrhea virus.

A study was designed to develop and define a sc tissue chamber as a suitable device for establishing a soft-tissue infection model in cattle and to use this model to study the interaction between Pasteurella haemolytica, sulfadiazine/trimethoprim, and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Thermoplastic tissue chambers were implanted in the paralumbar fossae of 20 calves. At 35 days after implantation, calves were allotted to 4 groups of equal size and the calves in 2 groups were inoculated intratracheally with a New York-1 strain of BVDV. At 45 days after implantation, all chambers were inoculated with a 6-hour culture of P haemolytica serotype 1. Starting 36 hours after bacterial inoculation, sulfadiazine/trimethoprim was administered IV once a day to half of the virus-inoculated calves and to half of those calves that had not been exposed to virus. Inoculation of P haemolytica into tissue chambers resulted in the establishment of a localized soft-tissue infection, characteristic of pneumonic pasteurellosis. Despite the maintenance of chamber antimicrobial concentrations that exceeded minimal bactericidal concentrations established in vitro, the infections were not sterilized. This lack of efficacy was associated with decreased pH and increased protein concentrations in chamber fluids after inoculation. Infection with BVDV, which is thought to depress host defenses, had no effect on the response of P haemolytica to sulfadiazine/trimethoprim administration. Observation of responsive antibody titers, bacterial phagocytosis, and high leukocyte viability within P haemolytica-infected chambers documented functional host defenses within tissue chambers.

Response of Pasteurella haemolytica to erythromycin and dexamethasone in calves with established infection.

A subcutaneous soft tissue infection model in calves was used to study the in vivo response of Pasteurella haemolytica to erythromycin and dexamethasone. Two tissue chambers were implanted SC in each of 12 calves. At 45 days after implantation, all tissue chambers were inoculated with an erythromycin-sensitive strain of P haemolytica. Starting 24 hours after inoculation, calves were allotted to 4 groups of equal size and a 2 x 2-factorial arrangement of treatments was applied: 3 calves were given erythromycin (30 mg/kg of body weight, IM, for 5 days), 3 calves were given dexamethasone (0.05 mg/kg, IM, for 2 days), 3 calves were given erythromycin and dexamethasone, and the remaining calves served as nontreated controls. Chamber fluids were tested daily, and the response to treatment was measured. Neither erythromycin nor dexamethasone affected viability or growth of bacteria within tissue chambers. Dexamethasone had no effect on the influx of neutrophils into infected chambers. Despite repeated administration of a high dose of erythromycin and attainment of adequate concentration in serum, erythromycin concentration in chamber fluids did not exceed the minimal inhibitory concentration established in vitro. These results indicate that the clinical efficacy of erythromycin against P haemolytica sequestered in consolidated pneumonic lesions may not be well correlated with predictions based on serum pharmacokinetic and in vitro susceptibility data.

Comparison of antigens of Pasteurella haemolytica serotype 1 grown in vitro and in vivo.

To determine whether antigenic differences exist in Pasteurella haemolytica serotype 1 grown in different culture conditions, the bacteria was grown on solid enriched medium, in broth culture, and in tissue chambers subcutaneously implanted in the flanks of calves. The organisms obtained by each culture method were comparable with respect to encapsulation and lipopolysaccharide content. In the bacteria grown in vivo, several unique high molecular-mass (greater than 150 kDa) protein antigens were found by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and protein immunoblotting. Bacteria grown in vitro had higher concentrations of a 49- and a 26-kDa protein than the organisms grown in vivo. The concentration of several major proteins (30, 42, 55, 71, and 100 kDa) were similar among the organisms grown by the three cultural conditions. Although the high molecular-mass antigens were unique for the chamber-grown bacteria, they were recognized by serum from a calf that had been vaccinated with formalin-killed, solid medium-grown P haemolytica and were resistant to challenge exposure with the live organism. This recognition of antigens by serum from the P haemolytica-resistant calf that had been vaccinated with solid-medium-grown bacterium, indicates that the high molecular-mass antigens from chamber-grown P haemolytica may be precursors of or share antigenic determinants with other P haemolytica proteins and may not be important for consideration in vaccine formulation.

Effects of chloramphenicol on infusion pharmacokinetics of propofol in greyhounds.

To investigate the effect of chloramphenicol, a cytochrome P-450 inhibitor, on the pharmacokinetics of propofol, either chloramphenicol (50 mg/kg of body weight, IV) or saline solution was administered IV to 5 Greyhounds in randomized manner, with at least 2 weeks between trials. Thirty minutes after either chloramphenicol or saline treatment, a bolus dose of propofol (10 mg/kg, IV) was administered, followed by a 2-hour infusion of propofol (0.4 mg/kg/min, IV). Samples for determination of blood propofol concentration were collected sequentially over a 6-hour period during each trial. After termination of propofol infusion, the time to spontaneous head lift, extubation, sternal recumbency, and standing was recorded. Blood propofol concentration was determined by use of high-performance liquid chromatography. Concentration-time data were fitted to a two-compartment open pharmacokinetic model and pharmacokinetic variables were determined, using a microcomputer program for modeling and simulation of concentration-time data. The effect of chloramphenicol on the pharmacokinetics of propofol and recovery time were evaluated, using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon's test for parameters that are not normally distributed (t1/2(beta), Vd(ss), ClB). Significant (P < 0.05) effects of chloramphenicol pretreatment included increased t1/2(beta) (by 209%), and decreased ClB (by 45%), and prolonged recovery indices (by 768 to 946%). These results indicate that cytochrome P-450 metabolic pathways have an important role in propofol clearance and propofol anesthetic recovery in Greyhounds.

Effects of Mannheimia haemolytica leukotoxin on apoptosis and oncosis of bovine neutrophils.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the concentration-dependent effects of Mannheimia haemolytica (formerly Pasteurella haemolytica) leukotoxin (LKT) on apoptosis and oncosis in bovine neutrophils and to examine the role of calcium ions (Ca2+) in LKT-induced apoptosis. SAMPLE POPULATION: Neutrophils isolated from blood samples obtained from healthy calves. PROCEDURE: Neutrophil suspensions were exposed to lytic or sublytic dilutions of LKT and then examined by use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) or gel electrophoresis. Contribution of extracellular Ca2+ to LKT-induced apoptosis was investigated by incubating neutrophils with LKT or control solutions in buffer containing 1 mM CaCl2 or in Ca2+-free buffer containing 1 mM ethylene glycol-bis (b-aminoethyl ether)-N,N-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) prior to diphenyl amine analysis. RESULTS: Examination by TEM revealed that bovine neutrophils exposed to lytic dilutions of LKT had changes consistent with oncosis, whereas neutrophils exposed to sublytic dilutions of LKT and staurosporin, an inducer of apoptosis, had changes consistent with apoptosis. Effects of sublytic dilutions of LKT on apoptosis were confirmed by gel electrophoresis. Replacement of extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA, a Ca2+ chelator, reduced apoptosis attributable to the calcium ionophore A23187, but it did not have significant effects on apoptosis induced by LKT or staurosporin. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ability of LKT to cause apoptosis instead of oncosis is concentration-dependent, suggesting that both processes of cell death contribute to an ineffective host-defense response, depending on the LKT concentration in pneumonic lesions. Furthermore, although Ca2+ promotes A23187-induced apoptosis, it is apparently not an essential second messenger for LKT-induced apoptosis.

Pharmacokinetics of cefepime and comparison with those of ceftiofur in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine pharmacokinetics of i.v., i.m., and oral administration of cefepime in horses and to compare pharmacokinetics of i.m. administration of cefepime with those of ceftiofur sodium. ANIMALS: 6 clinically normal adult horses. PROCEDURE: Horses received 3 doses of cefepime (11 mg/kg of body weight, PO; 2.2 mg/kg, i.v.; and 2.2 mg/kg, i.m.) and 1 dose of ceftiofur (2.2 mg/kg, i.m.). Two horses also received L-arginine, p.o. and i.v., at doses identical to those contained in the cefepime dihydrochloride-L-arginine preparations previously administered. Blood samples were collected for 24 hours after administration of cefepime or ceftiofur and were assayed for cefepime and ceftiofur concentrations. RESULTS: Pharmacokinetic analysis of disposition data indicated that i.v. administration data were best described by a 2-compartment open model, whereas i.m. administration data were best described by a 1-compartment absorption model. Median elimination half-life and volume of distribution after i.v. administration of cefepime were 125.7 minutes and 225 ml/kg, respectively. After i.m. administration of cefepime, mean maximal plasma concentration of (8.13 microg/ml) was reached at a mean time of 80 minutes. Absorption of cefepime after i.m. administration was complete, with a median bioavailability of 1.11. Intramuscular administration of ceftiofur resulted in similar mean maximal plasma concentration (7.98 microg/ml) and mean time to this concentration (82 minutes). Cefepime was not detected in samples collected after oral administration. Adverse effects consisting principally of gastrointestinal disturbances were observed after oral and i.m. administration of cefepime and after 1 i.m. administration of ceftiofur. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cefepime, administered i.v. or i.m. at a dosage of 2.2 mg/kg, every 8 hours is likely to provide effective antibacterial therapy for cefepime-sensitive organisms in horses. Further studies are needed to evaluate adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

Pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in the calf: developmental changes.

The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic values for gentamicin in neonatal calves and to compare these values with those in adult cattle (cows). Gentamicin (4 mg/kg of body weight) was administered IV to 7 Holstein bull calves on days 1 (between 12 and 24 hours of age), 5, 10, and 15 after birth, and was administered once IV to 7 Holstein cows. Serum was collected from each animal before administration and at 22 different time intervals from 2 to 400 minutes after injection. Sera were analyzed for gentamicin concentrations. Decay of serum gentamicin concentrations was best described by a 2-compartment pharmacokinetic model. Elimination half-life (t1/2 (beta)) of gentamicin decreased from day 1 (149 minutes) to day 5 (119 minutes), but did not change between days 5 and 15 (111 minutes). Compared with the t1/2(beta) in 1- and 15-day-old calves, the t 1/2 (beta) in cows was shorter (76 minutes). In the calves, apparent volume of distribution (based on total area under the disposition curve) did not change between 1 (393 ml/kg) and 5 (413 ml/kg) days of age, decreased on day 10 (341 ml/kg) and cows day 15 (334 ml/kg), and was markedly smaller than that in cows (140 ml/kg). Total body clearance of gentamicin in cows (1.29 ml/min X kg) was lower than that seen in calves on day 1 (1.92 ml/min X kg) and on day 15 (2.10 ml/min X kg). The decrease in apparent volume of distribution of gentamicin was mirrored by a large decrease in the extracellular fluid volume, as measured by inulin space.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ultrastructural characterization of apoptosis in bovine lymphocytes exposed to Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize ultrastructural changes of bovine lymphocytes exposed to Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin (LKT). SAMPLE POPULATION: Partially purified LKT from a wild type P. haemolytica A1 strain and inactive pro-LKT from an isogeneic mutant Phaemolytica strain. Isolated bovine lymphocytes were obtained from 2 healthy calves. PROCEDURE: Isolated bovine lymphocytes were incubated with various concentrations of LKT and pro-LKT for 3 hours at 37 C and examined by use of transmission electron microscopy. A cytochemical Klenow DNA fragmentation assay was used to examine lymphocytes for DNA fragmentation. RESULTS: Lymphocytes incubated with LKT at a high concentration (1.0 toxic U/ml) had ultrastructural evidence of cytoplasmic and nuclear membrane rupture and swelling or lysis of mitochondria. Low concentrations of leukotoxin (0.1 toxic U/ml) induced DNA fragmentation in 80% of lymphocytes. Ultrastructurally, these cells had nuclear membrane blebbing, cytoplasmic vaculation, chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, and membrane-bound apoptotic bodies. Incubation of lymphocytes with LKT at extremely low concentrations (0.001 toxic U/ml) or with pro-LKT did not alter their ultrastructure. Inclusion of 0.5 mM ZnCl2 in the medium blocked leukotoxin-induced ultrastructural changes in bovine lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Low concentrations of LKT induce apoptosis and high concentrations induce oncotic cell lysis in bovine lymphocytes. The ability of low LKT concentrations to induce apoptosis in host leukocytes may allow bacteria to escape host immune surveillance and colonize the host.

Development of an ex vivo model to study adherence of Mannheimia haemolytica serovar 1 to mucosal tissues of the respiratory tract of cattle.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate an ex vivo model for study of adherence of Mannheimia haemolytica (formerly Pasteurella haemolytica) to respiratory tract mucosa of cattle and to use this model to confirm adherence of M haemolytica serovar 1 (Mh1) to several relevant respiratory mucosal surfaces. SAMPLE POPULATION: Excised nasal, nasopharyngeal, turbinate, and tonsillar mucosal tissue from the bovine upper respiratory tract. PROCEDURE: Mh1 was radiolabeled by use of tritiated leucine. Various concentrations of labeled bacteria were incubated with bovine upper respiratory tract tissues for various times. Tissue was washed to remove nonadherent bacteria, and percentage of bacteria adhered (percentage of adherence) was estimated using radioactivity. Using an optimal inoculum concentration and incubation time, percentage of Mh1 adherence was compared on nasal, nasopharyngeal, turbinate, and tonsillar mucosal tissue, and adherence to nasopharyngeal tissue was confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: The optimal Mh1 inoculum concentration was 1 X 10(7) colony forming units/ml and incubation time was 3 hours. Percentage of adherence of Mh1 to nasopharyngeal tissue was greater than adherence to other tissue types. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ex vivo model maintained the functional and structural integrity of bovine upper respiratory tract mucosa, as confirmed by light and electron microscopy. Electron microscopy revealed participation of epithelial cell cilia and surface mucus in adherence of Mh1 to nasopharyngeal tissue. Adherence of Mh1 was confirmed in repeated assays, indicating that this organism adheres to upper respiratory tract mucosa of cattle.

Pharmacokinetics of acetazolimide after intravenous and oral administration in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pharmacokinetics of acetazolamide administered IV and orally to horses. ANIMALS: 6 clinically normal adult horses. PROCEDURE: Horses received 2 doses of acetazolamide (4 mg/kg of body weight, IV; 8 mg/kg, PO), and blood samples were collected at regular intervals before and after administration. Samples were assayed for acetazolamide concentration by high-performance liquid chromatography, and concentration-time data were analyzed. RESULTS: After IV administration of acetazolamide, data analysis revealed a median mean residence time of 1.71 +/- 0.90 hours and median total body clearance of 263 +/- 38 ml/kg/h. Median steady-state volume of distribution was 433 +/- 218 ml/kg. After oral administration, mean peak plasma concentration was 1.90 +/- 1.09 microg/ml. Mean time to peak plasma concentration was 1.61 +/- 1.24 hours. Median oral bioavailability was 25 +/- 6%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral pharmacokinetic disposition of acetazolamide in horses was characterized by rapid absorption, low bioavailability, and slower elimination than observed initially after IV administration. Pharmacokinetic data generated by this study should facilitate estimation of appropriate dosages for acetazolamide use in horses with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis.