PLASMA DISPOSITION OF CEFOPERAZONE AFTER SINGLE INTRAVENOUS AND INTRAMUSCULAR ADMINISTRATIONS IN CAMELS (CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS)

The plasma disposition of cefoperazone was investigated after intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administrations of 20 mg/kg as a single dose in six camels (Camelus dromedarius) in a crossover design. Blood plasma samples were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After IV administration, elimination half-life (t(1/2 beta)), volume of distribution at steady state (V-dss), total body clearance (Cl-tot) and mean residence time (MRT) of cefoperazone were 1.95 h, 0.38 L/kg, 0.17 L/h/kg and 2.16 h, respectively. After IM administration of cefoperazone, peak plasma concentration (C-max) was 21.95 mu g/mL and it was obtained at (t(max)) 1.23 h. Absorption half-life (t(1/2ab)), elimination half-life and mean absorption time were 0.45 h, 2.84 h and 2.07 h, respectively. The bioavailability of cefoperazone was 89.42%. The lack of local reaction or any other adverse effects and the very good bioavailability following IM administration indicate that cefoperazone might be a promising alternative treatment for a variety of infectious diseases in camels.