[The distribution of cefotaxime in serum, lung lymph and lung tissue of sheep]

The levels of cefotaxime (CTX) in serum and lung lymph were compared in awake sheep which were prepared for collection of lung lymph. A single dose of 50 mg/kg of CTX was administered intravenously to sheep. The CTX level in serum or lung lymph reached a peak within 15 minutes after administration and decreased rapidly. The measurable concentration persisted for 240 minutes after administration. Ratios of lung lymph to serum concentration of CTX ranged from 1.0 to 1.2. In addition, the CTX levels in serum, lung lymph and tissue of right lower lobe were compared in anesthetized sheep to which CTX 50 mg/kg were given. Ratios of lung lymph and tissue in right lower lobe to serum concentration of CTX were 0.81 +/- 0.14, 0.06 +/- 0.02, respectively. From above results, CTX was well distributed in lung lymph. The levels of CTX in tissue of right lower lobe were markedly lower than those of lung lymph.