Influence of experimentally induced fever on the disposition of cefpirome in buffalo calves

The influence of Escherichia coli endotoxin-induced fever on the disposition of cefpirome was investigated in five male buffalo calves following a single intravenous dose of 10 mg kg⁻¹. Blood samples were collected from 1 min to 24 h of drug administration. The drug concentration in plasma was estimated by microbiological assay using E. coli as a test organism. The disposition of cefpirome followed two-compartment open model and the drug was detected above the minimum inhibitory concentration in plasma up to 12 h. The Vd_area and AUC were 0.75 ± 0.01 L kg⁻¹ and 35.1 ± 0.46 μg ml⁻¹ h, respectively. The elimination half-life of 1.81 ± 0.009 h and Cl_B of 0.29 ± 0.004 L kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ reflected rapid elimination and body clearance of cefpirome in febrile buffalo calves. Based on the results, a satisfactory dosage regimen of cefpirome in febrile buffalo calves was calculated to be 6 mg kg⁻¹ to be repeated at 8 h intervals.