Abstract
Despite the low incidence of fungal diseases in elasmobranchs, mycosis can cause high mortality rates in animals under human care.1,2 Azole antifungal drugs, mainly itraconazole and voriconazole, have been proposed as a possible treatment. The therapeutic range for fusariosis in elasmobranchs is unknown, but clinical evidence has suggested good outcomes.3-5 The objectives of the present study were to 1) study the kinetic disposition of voriconazole in the undulate ray after intravenous administration and 2) to evaluate the intramuscular administration as a possible route of treatment for this drug in this species.
Voriconazole was administered to 6 healthy adult rays (Raja undulata) at 4 mg/kg for both IV and IM routes. After IV administration, a total clearance (Cl) of 0.07±0.01 L/h/kg, a volume of distribution at steady-state (VdsS) of 0.92±0.15 L/kg and an elimination half-life (t½β) of 11.18±1.32 h were estimated. After IM administration, voriconazole peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was 2.98±0.28 µg/ml, the time to reach Cmax (tmax) was 1.33±0.17 h, and the mean bioavailability (F) was 64.67±11.47%.
Plasma levels achieved are higher than those reported in other oral studies with the same drug in cartilaginous fish and exceed the MIC90 values published for this drug against the main pathogenic fungi of these species.6 Similar results have been published with other drugs in elasmobranch species.7,8
Taking into account the promising results obtained in the present work, the IM administration of voriconazole could be considered as an alternative to the oral treatment of ray fungi, although additional kinetic studies with multiple dose regimens and safety trials should be carried out.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the aquarists and quarantine staff at the Oceanogràfic of Valencia for their dedication to the care of the individuals included in this study and the veterinary team for their help and support.
*Presenting author
+Student presenter
Literature Cited
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