Laura Torres Bianchini’s research while affiliated with University of Buenos Aires and other places

The aim of the study was to investigate the intramuscular pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin in black vultures (Coragyps atratus). The pharmacokinetics of a single intramuscular dose (10 mg/kg) of enrofloxacin was studied in six vultures. Plasma concentrations of enrofloxacin and its active metabolite, ciprofloxacin, were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLCuv). Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using non-compartmental and compartmental analysis. After intramuscular administration, enrofloxacin showed a rapid and complete absorption, reaching a Cmax value of 3.26 ± 0.23 μg/mL at 1.75 ± 0.53 h. A long terminal half-life of 19.58 h has been observed. Using previously published MIC values to perform a PK/PD analysis, cumulative fraction responses obtained after Monte Carlo simulation for AUC/MIC > 30, 50 and 125 were 72.93%, 72.34% and 30.86% for E. coli and 89.29%, 88.89% and 58.57% for Mycoplasma synoviae, respectively. Cumulative fraction responses obtained for Cmax/MIC index were 33.93% and 40.18% for E. coli and M. synoviae, respectively. The intramuscular administration of 10 mg/kg could be appropriate to treat infectious diseases caused by gram-positive bacteria with MIC value lower than 1 µg/mL; however, although enrofloxacin showed a slow elimination in black vultures, plasma concentrations were insufficient to reach the gram-negative stablished breakpoints.

Electrocardiography is a useful tool when included in healthcare protocols and is increasingly utilized for monitoring wild birds. However, the lack of reference data for many species is limiting the clinical value of this technique. In this study 26 Andean condors (Vultur gryphus) coming from rehabilitation and captive breeding programs were examined to determine electrocardiographic references prior to being released. Standard bipolar (I, II, and III) and augmented unipolar limb (aVR, aVL, and aVF) leads were recorded with birds under physical restraint. Five beats were analyzed on Lead II at 50 mm/sec and 1 cm = 1 mV to determine QRS complex morphology, cardiac rhythm, heart rate, P, PR, R, S, QRS, T, QT, and ST amplitude and/or duration. P and T wave configuration was determined for all leads, and Mean Electrical Axis (MEA) in the frontal plane was determined using leads I and III. Cardiac rhythm corresponded to regular sinus rhythm in 42% of the birds, with a relevant rate of sinus arrhythmia in 58%, and rS as the most common pattern (42%) for QRS complex in lead II. We found an influence of age and heart rate but not of sex on several ECG waves and intervals. Relevant ECG findings for studied Andean condors include a high rate of T(a) , R', and U wave detection. Waves T(a) and R' were considered non-pathological, while the significance of U waves remains unclear. Our results provide a useful reference to improve clinical interpretation of full electrocardiographic examination in Andean condors. Zoo Biol. XX:XX-XX, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals Inc. Zoo Biol. XX:XX-XX, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals Inc.