"Development of an analytical methodology and determination of tigecycline in blood of patients"

Abstract

Tigecycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is active even against multi-drug resistant bacteria. It is part of the tetracycline class (3rd generation) of antibiotics and functions by blocking the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome. This has the result of blocking the translation process and the production of proteins in the bacteria. This antibiotic is commonly used in hospitals to treat very severe bacterial infections, including complicated intra-abdominal infections, complicated skin and skin structure infections as well as community-acquired pneumonia.

An analytical method using LC-MS/MS for the determination of tigecycline in 200 μL plasma samples from hospital patients was developed. A calibration curve based on external standards was made. The linear range of the calibration curve was from 0.25 ppm to 5 ppm. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Hypersil GOLD PFP reverse phase analytical column with a mobile phase consisting of water (Solvent A) and methanol (Solvent B) with 0.1% formic acid using a gradient elusion program. The flow rate was 400 μL/min and the run time was 5.5 min. The scanning mode for the mass spectrometer was single ion monitoring (SIM) and the device was using an electrospray ion source (ESI), operated in positive ion mode. The ion pairs used for the determination of tigecycline were m/z 586.3 & 513.2. The temperature was set to 320oC, the ion spray voltage was 3.5V, the capillary voltage was 50V and the tube lens voltage was 90V.

The method developed could be useful in hospital settings, allowing the attending physicians to quickly assess the levels of tigecycline in the plasma of their patients and decide whether any modifications are needed in the treatment plan in order to achieve the best clinical outcomes for their patients.

PAPOUTSAKI Eleftheria