The determination of the cellular volume of avian, porcine and bovine phagocytes and bovine mammary epithelial cells and its relationship to uptake of tilmicosin

Pharmacokinetics of Tildipirosin in Plasma, Milk, and Somatic Cells Following Intravenous, Intramuscular, and Subcutaneous Administration in Dairy Goats

Tildipirosin is a macrolide currently authorized for treating respiratory diseases in cattle and swine. The disposition kinetics of tildipirosin in plasma, milk, and somatic cells were investigated in dairy goats. Tildipirosin was administered at a single dose of 2 mg/kg by intravenous (IV) and 4 mg/kg by intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) routes. Concentrations of tildipirosin were determined by an HPLC method with UV detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by non-compartmental analysis. Muscle damage, cardiotoxicity, and inflammation were evaluated. After IV administration, the apparent volume of distribution in the steady state was 7.2 L/kg and clearance 0.64 L/h/kg. Plasma and milk half-lives were 6.2 and 58.3 h, respectively, indicating nine times longer persistence of tildipirosin in milk than in plasma. Moreover, if somatic cells are considered, persistence and exposure measured by the area under concentration–time curve (AUC) significantly exceeded those obtained in plasma. Similarly, longer half-lives in whole milk and somatic cells compared to plasma were observed after IM and SC administration. No adverse effects were observed. In brief, tildipirosin should be reserved for cases where other suitable antibiotics have been unsuccessful, discarding milk production of treated animals for at least 45 days or treating goats at the dry-off period.

Tilmicosin modulates the innate immune response and preserves casein production in bovine mammary alveolar cells during Staphylococcus aureus infection

Tilmicosin is an antimicrobial agent used to treat intramammary infections against Staphylococcus aureus and has clinical anti-inflammatory effects. However, the mechanism by which it modulates the inflammatory process in the mammary gland is unknown. We evaluated the effect of tilmicosin treatment on the modulation of the mammary innate immune response after S. aureus infection and its effect on casein production in mammary epithelial cells. To achieve this goal, we used immortalized mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T), pretreated for 12 h or treated with tilmicosin after infection with S. aureus (ATCC 27543). Our data showed that tilmicosin decreases intracellular infection (P < 0.01) and had a protective effect on MAC-T reducing apoptosis after infection by 80% (P < 0.01). Furthermore, tilmicosin reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) (P < 0.01), IL-1β (P < 0.01), IL-6 (P < 0.01), and TNF-α (P < 0.05) production. In an attempt to investigate the signaling pathways involved in the immunomodulatory effect of tilmicosin, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation was measured by fluorescent-activated cell sorting. Pretreatment with tilmicosin increased ERK1/2 (P < 0.05) but decreased P38 phosphorylation (P < 0.01). In addition, the anti-inflammatory effect of tilmicosin helped to preserve casein synthesis in mammary epithelial cells (P < 0.01). This result indicates that tilmicosin could be an effective modulator inflammation in the mammary gland. Through regulation of MAPK phosphorylation, ROS production and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion tilmicosin can provide protection from cellular damage due to S. aureus infection and help to maintain normal physiological functions of the bovine mammary epithelial cell.

Macrolides and lincosamides in cattle and pigs: use and development of antimicrobial resistance

Macrolides and lincosamides are important antibacterials for the treatment of many common infections in cattle and pigs. Products for in-feed medication with these compounds in combination with other antimicrobials are commonly used in Europe. Most recently approved injectable macrolides have very long elimination half-lives in both pigs and cattle, which allows once-only dosing regimens. Both in-feed medication and use of long-acting injections result in low concentrations of the active substance for prolonged periods, which causes concerns related to development of antimicrobial resistance. Acquired resistance to macrolides and lincosamides among food animal pathogens, including some zoonotic bacteria, has now emerged. A comparison of studies on the prevalence of resistance is difficult, since for many micro-organisms no agreed standards for susceptibility testing are available. With animal pathogens, the most dramatic increase in resistance has been seen in the genus Brachyspira. Resistance towards macrolides and lincosamides has also been detected in staphylococci isolated from pigs and streptococci from cattle. This article reviews the use of macrolides and lincosamides in cattle and pigs, as well as the development of resistance in target and some zoonotic pathogens. The focus of the review is on European conditions.

Disposition of gamithromycin in plasma, pulmonary epithelial lining fluid, bronchoalveolar cells, and lung tissue in cattle

OBJECTIVE

To determine the disposition of gamithromycin in plasma, pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells, and lung tissue homogenate in cattle.

ANIMALS

33 healthy Angus calves approximately 7 to 8 months of age.

PROCEDURES

Calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 11 groups consisting of 3 calves each, which differed with respect to sample collection times. In 10 groups, 1 dose of gamithromycin (6 mg/kg) was administered SC in the neck of each calf (0 hours). The remaining 3 calves were not treated. Gamithromycin concentrations in plasma, PELF, lung tissue homogenate, and BAL cells (matrix) were measured at various points by means of high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Time to maximum gamithromycin concentration was achieved at 1 hour for plasma, 12 hours for lung tissue, and 24 hours for PELF and BAL cells. Maximum gamithromycin concentration was 27.8 μg/g, 17.8 μg/mL, 4.61 μg/mL, and 0.433 μg/mL in lung tissue, BAL cells, PELF, and plasma, respectively. Terminal half-life was longer in BAL cells (125.0 hours) than in lung tissue (93.0 hours), plasma (62.0 hours), and PELF (50.6 hours). The ratio of matrix to plasma concentrations ranged between 4.7 and 127 for PELF, 16 and 650 for lung tissue, and 3.2 and 2,135 for BAL cells.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Gamithromycin was rapidly absorbed after SC administration. Potentially therapeutic concentrations were achieved in PELF, BAL cells, and lung tissue within 30 minutes after administration and persisted for 7 (PELF) to > 15 (BAL cells and lung tissue) days after administration of a single dose.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against the antibiotic tilmicosin

Monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) were developed that specifically bind tilmicosin. Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugates were used for the immunogen and plate coating antigen, respectively. The conjugates were synthesized by different methods, resulting in different linkages. Six hybridoma cell lines were isolated that produced Mabs that competed with tilmicosin, and have IgG1 isotype. The Til-1 and Til-5 Mabs had IC50 values for tilmicosin of 9.6 and 6.4 ng/well (48 and 32 ng/mL), respectively, and limits of detection at IC20 of 1.84 and 0.89 ng/well (9.2 and 4.45 ng/mL), respectively. The Mabs demonstrated high cross-reactivity to the macrolides containing 3,5-dimethylpiperidine at C20 and the amino sugar at C5. No cross-reactivity was observed for tylosin and other macrolides that did not contain 3,5-dimethylpiperidine. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the antibiotic tilmicosin by use of the developed Mabs. These Mabs may be excellent candidates for the determination and immunolocalization of tilmicosin.

Kinetic mechanism and metabolic role of pyruvate phosphate dikinase from Entamoeba histolytica

The kinetic mechanism and the metabolic role of pyruvate phosphate dikinase from Entamoeba histolytica were investigated. The initial velocity patterns in double reciprocal plots were parallel for the phosphoenolpyruvate/AMP and phosphoenolpyruvate/pyrophosphate substrate pairs and intersecting for the AMP/pyrophosphate pair. This suggests a kinetic mechanism with two independent reactions. The rate of ATP synthesis at saturating and equimolar concentrations of phosphoenolpyruvate, AMP, and pyrophosphate was inhibited by phosphate, which is consistent with an ordered steady-state mechanism. Enzyme phosphorylation by [(32)P(i)]pyrophosphate depends on the formation of a ternary complex between AMP, pyrophosphate, and pyruvate phosphate dikinase. In consequence, the reaction that involves the AMP/pyrophosphate pair follows a sequential steady-state mechanism. The product inhibition patterns of ATP and phosphate versus phosphoenolpyruvate were noncompetitive and uncompetitive, respectively, suggesting that these products were released in an ordered process (phosphate before ATP). The ordered release of phosphate and ATP and the noncompetitive inhibition patterns of pyruvate versus AMP and versus pyrophosphate also supported the sequential kinetic mechanism between AMP and pyrophosphate. Taken together, our data provide evidence for a uni uni bi bi pingpong mechanism for recombinant pyruvate phosphate dikinase from E. histolytica. The Delta G value for the reaction catalyzed by pyruvate phosphate dikinase (+2.7 kcal/mol) determined under near physiological conditions indicates that the synthesis of ATP is not thermodynamically favorable in trophozoites of E. histolytica.

Pharmacokinetics of azithromycin and concentration in body fluids and bronchoalveolar cells in foals

OBJECTIVE

To determine the pharmacokinetics of azithromycin and its concentration in body fluids and bronchoalveolar lavage cells in foals.

ANIMALS

6 healthy 6- to 10-week-old foals.

PROCEDURE

Azithromycin (10 mg/kg of body weight) was administered to each foal via i.v. and intragastric (i.g.) routes in a crossover design. After the first i.g. dose, 4 additional i.g. doses were administered at 24-hour intervals. A microbiologic assay was used to measure azithromycin concentrations in serum, peritoneal fluid, synovial fluid, pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF), and bronchoalveolar (BAL) cells.

RESULTS

Azithromycin elimination half-life was 20.3 hours, body clearance was 10.4 ml/min x kg, and apparent volume of distribution at steady state was 18.6 L/kg. After i.g. administration, time to peak serum concentration was 1.8 hours and bioavailability was 56%. After repeated i.g. administration, peak serum concentration was 0.63 +/- 0.10 microg/ml. Peritoneal and synovial fluid concentrations were similar to serum concentrations. Bronchoalveolar cell and PELF concentrations were 15- to 170-fold and 1- to 16-fold higher than concurrent serum concentrations, respectively. No adverse reactions were detected after repeated i.g. administration.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

On the basis of pharmacokinetic values, minimum inhibitory concentrations of Rhodococcus equi isolates, and drug concentrations in PELF and bronchoalveolar cells, a single daily oral dose of 10 mg/kg may be appropriate for treatment of R. equi infections in foals. Persistence of high azithromycin concentrations in PELF and bronchoalveolar cells 48 hours after discontinuation of administration suggests that after 5 daily doses, oral administration at 48-hour intervals may be adequate.