Population pharmacokinetics of antituberculous drugs and treatment of Mycobacterium bovis infection in bongo antelope (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci)

After clinical illness, treatment, and death of a captive male bongo antelope (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci) caused by tuberculosis involving Mycobacterium bovis, four tuberculin test reactive captive bongos were treated for 6 mo with isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RIF) and intermittent single doses of other medications before being euthanized. In all cases, postmortem examination indicated no evidence of active disease and cultures of multiple organs were negative. We present detailed pharmacokinetic (PK) data for amikacin (AMK), ethambutol (EMB), INH, pyrazinamide (PZA), RIF, and levofloxacin in four female bongos. Adequate absorption and serum levels were obtained after parenteral administration of AMK, EMB, and INH and after oral administration of INH and PZA. Parenterally administered drugs were well described by a one-compartment PK model with first-order absorption and elimination processes. Treatment with INH and RIF over a 6-mo period did not result in demonstrable adverse effects. Starting doses of 10-15 mg/kg, i.m., or 30 mg/kg, p.o., of INH, 50 mg/kg, p.o., of EMB, and 25 mg/kg, i.m., s.i.d., of AMK are recommended. The treatment is continued with at least two drugs to which the organism is susceptible for a total treatment length of 6-12 mo. Treatment may be an option to eradicate M. bovis from suspect animals, with carefully administered and monitored drug treatment.