Pharmacokinetics and penetration of danofloxacin into the gastrointestinaltract in healthy and in Salmonella typhimurium infected pigs

The pharmacokinetics and penetration of danofloxacin into the gastrointesti nal tract in healthy pigs and in pigs experimentally infected with Salmonel la typhimurium were studied. In the infected pigs, a decrease in body clearance and an increase in mean elimination half-life was observed (P<0.01). Moreover a significant reducti on in the volume of the peripheral compartment was found. Danofloxacin dist ributed well to the gastrointestinal tract achieving high AUC/AUC(plasma) r atios in both groups of pigs. However, compared to the healthy pigs AUC/AUC (plasma) ratios decreased in the infected pigs. Salmonella infection led to an increase in mean residence time (MRT) in the small intestines and lymph nodes and a decrease in MRT in caecum and colon. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publish ers Ltd.