RAPID HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHIC ASSAY FOR ANTIFUNGAL AGENTS IN HUMAN SERA

Serum concentration of seven antifungal agents, amphotericin B, 5-fluc ytosine, ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, miconazole and econa zole were assayed using a single step sample preparation and an isocra tic High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) procedure based on t hree mobile phases of similar components. Our method was simple, flexi ble and rapid, the assays being completed within half an hour. The met hod-showed high reproducibility, good sensitivity with detection limit s of 0.078 to 0.625 mg/L except for miconazole and econazole, and high recovery rates of 86-105%. Out of 24 therapeutic agents tested only a ztreonam and trimethoprim were found to interfere with the assay of 5- flucytosine and fluconazole respectively, using this protocol. HPLC as say should be useful in the clinical laboratory for monitoring patient s on antifungal therapy.