Maternal-amniotic-fetal distribution of macrolide antibiotics following intravenous, intramuscular, and intraamniotic administration in late pregnant sheep

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to explore the maternal-fetal pharmacokinetics of intraamniotic (IA), intravenous (IV), or intramuscular (IM) administration of erythromycin or azithromycin in a pregnant sheep model. STUDY DESIGN: Pregnant ewes of 115-121 days’ gestation received a single maternal IV infusion (5 mg/kg over 60 min), a single IM injection, or a single IA injection (3.2 mg/kg fetal weight) of either erythromycin lactobionate or azithromycin. Maternal/fetal blood and amniotic fluid (AF) samples were collected across 48 h for macrolide assay by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Maternal administration achieved therapeutic maternal plasma macrolide concentrations (0.5 g/mL) with low concentrations in AF equivalent to less than 7% transfer; fetal plasma levels were even lower (1.5% transfer). The IA administration achieved therapeutic concentrations in AF and sustained for 48 h, with poor maternal-fetal transfer (1% maternal, 0.3% fetal). Modest pharmacokinetic differences were evident between erythromycin and azithromycin. CONCLUSION: Maternal macrolide administration achieves subtherapeutic concentrations in AF or fetal plasma, whereas a single IA injection achieves therapeutic concentrations in AF but not in maternal-fetal circulations. Combined maternal and single IA administration of macrolides may be a more effective regimen for treatment of intrauterine, but not fetal, infection.