Plasma Concentrations of Amikacin During Clinical Use in Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys kempii)

Abstract

Plasma amikacin concentrations were determined for 16 hospitalized Kemp’s ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) that were treated with amikacin sulfate (5 mg/kg IM every 3 days). A sparse-sampling protocol was used to limit the amount of blood obtained from each turtle, with samples collected at three time points for each individual up to 72 h after the initial dose. To evaluate the possibility of drug accumulation, plasma concentrations were also determined at 24, 48, or 72 h after the final injection, with treatment duration determined by the attending veterinarians based on clinical status (mean, 13 doses administered; range, 2–26). Plasma amikacin concentrations were measured using an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography assay with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry. Plasma concentrations were highly variable, but exceeded target maximal plasma concentrations (minimum inhibitory concentration of eight) in 10 of 16 individuals. Plasma concentrations after the final treatment indicated no evidence of drug accumulation. Results indicate that amikacin may be useful for management of susceptible bacterial infections in Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, but additional studies are warranted to determine optimal dosing schemes.

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