Solid phase extraction and HPLC determination of spiramycin in plasma and vitreous concentrations

A method for extracting spiramycin by an octadecylsilica cartridge is described for plasma or vitreous samples. The macrolide antibiotic is then measured by reversed-phase HPLC with UV detection. The limit of detection is estimated to be 50 ng/mL. The coefficient of variation for the procedure is 6.1% and 5.2% for the range of concentrations 0.2 micrograms/mL and 10 micrograms/mL respectively. By this method, pharmacokinetic profiles were performed for five adult patients. Spiramycin could be accurately measured in the vitreous humour, allowing the determination of antibiotic at its site of action.