Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of teicoplanin against intramammary infections in sheep
- C. Naccari, DPharm, PhD1,
- P. P. Niutta, DVM, PhD2,
- D. Trombetta, DPharm, PhD1,
- A. De Domenico, DVM, PhD2,
- F. Pizzimenti, DPharm, PhD1,
- P. Cagnardi, DVM, PhD3,
- S. Carli, DVM3 and
- F. Naccari, DBS2
- 1 Department of Pharmacobiology
- 2 Department of Veterinary Public Health, Polo Universitario SS Annunziata, University of Messina, Italy
- 3 Department of Veterinary Sciences and Technologies for Food Safety, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, Milan, Italy
- petra.cagnardi{at}unimi.it
Abstract
The pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin were evaluated in 10 healthy sheep. After intravenous injection it showed monophasic behaviour, with a short mean (sd) elimination half-life (5 [0.24] hours). After intramuscular injection its bioavailability was 100 per cent but it was absorbed slowly; its elimination half-life was satisfactorily slow (9.23 [0.74] hours). Its efficacy was evaluated in 26 crossbreed sheep with milk positive to strains of Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci and Streptococcus agalactiae, and clinical signs of disease. In 19 of them a single intramuscular dose of 6 mg/kg bodyweight resulted in a complete resolution of the clinical signs, and no microorganisms were detected in milk by the fifth day; in the other seven sheep, with more severe intramammary infections, three consecutive daily intramuscular doses of 6 mg/kg bodyweight were necessary. There were no local or systemic side effects and no relapses during 30 days after the treatments in any of the sheep.
- British Veterinary Association. All rights reserved.
