Anion-exchange extraction of cephapirin, cefotaxime, and cefoxitin from serum for liquid chromatography

An anion-exchange column technique for extraction of antibiotics from serum proteins has been developed for use in the assay of cephapirin, cefotaxime, and cefoxitin by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Anion-exchange extraction of cephapirin from serum samples by this technique was compared with protein precipitation methods, using 6% trichloroacetic acid or absolute ethanol. Column extraction gave improved quantitative drug recovery and reduced background serum interferences in the resultant chromatograms when evaluated against protein precipitation. Comparisons of this method with microbiological assay gave statistically equivalent results. Twelve patient samples were assayed for cephapirin, and no interferences were encountered from the 22 systemic agents these subjects were receiving. The anion-exchange technique for antibiotic extraction provides a rapid, precise, and quantitative antibiotic assay when used with liquid chromatography.