Abstract
The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of gentamicin sulphate (3 mg/kg body weight) were studied in 5 healthy male camels (Camelus dromedarius) after a single intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration according to a cross-over randomised design. Gentamicin concentrations were determined using a microbiological assay and Bacillus subtillis (ATCC 6633) as a test organism. The disposition curves were analysed using non-compartmental methods based on statistical moment theory. Following single IV administration, the elimination half-life (t(1//2) b), mean residence time (MRT), volume of distribution at steady state (Vd(ss)), volume of distribution (Vd(area)) and the total body clearance (Cl-B) were 5.98 +/- 0.42 h, 6.73 +/- 0.37 h, 0.28 +/- 0.02 1/kg, 0.36 +/- 0.02 1/kg and 0.71 +/- 0.02 ml/min/kg, respectively. After a single IM administration, the maximum plasma concentrations (C-max) was 6.26 +/- 0.36 mg/ml achieved at (t(max)) 2h post-injection time. The t(1//2) b, MRT, Vd(area), Cl-B and the absolute bioavailability (F) were 5.24 +/- 0.31 h, 7.87 +/- 0.35 h, 0.42 +/- 0.03 1/kg, 0.95 +/- 0.05 ml/min/kg and 75.56 +/- 4.92%, respectively. Based on these kinetics parameters, a dosage of 3 mg/kg by IM and IV administration every 24 h can be recommended for the treatment of bacterial infections in camels with MIC90 (3) 0.75 and 3.75 mg/ml, respectively.