[Study of the in vivo penetration of cotrimoxazole in alveolar macrophages]

Abstract

Kinetic of cotrimoxazole was studied in serum, alveolar macrophages and BAL fluid from guinea pigs receiving sulfamethoxazole (SMX, 100 mg/kg) and trimethoprim (TMP, 20 mg/kg). Guinea pigs were killed by cervical dislocation 30 min, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 24 h after intraperitoneal injection. Lung lavage was performed to obtain alveolar macrophages and BAL fluid. TMP and SMX levels were assayed using high-performance-liquid chromatography. Highest SMX levels were obtained in serum at 30 min, in BAL fluid at 1 h and in alveolar macrophages at 3 h. Mean SMX/TMP ratios (30 min, 1 h, 3 h) was 26.5 +/- 0.8 in serum, 3.76 +/- 1.8 in BAL fluid and 1.15 +/- 0.02 in alveolar macrophages.