Recent bioanalytical methods for quantification of third-generation cephalosporins using HPLC and LC-MS(/MS) and their applications in pharmacokinetic studies

Abstract

Third-generation cephalosporins are semi-synthetic antibiotics with enhanced activity against Gram-negative organisms. The cephalosporins in biological samples are mostly determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and HPLC-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) or tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In recent years, numerous bioanalytical methods have been developed to improve the sensitivity and specificity of cephalosporin quantification using the powerful LC-MS/MS systems that are common in research laboratories. This review article presents recently developed bioanalytical methods by HPLC or LC-MS(/MS) for 12 third-generation cephalosporins, including five oral third-generation cephalosporins, and further discusses their application in pharmacokinetic studies of animals and humans.

Keywords: HPLC; LC-MS; LC-MS/MS; bioanalytical methods; pharmacokinetics; third-generation cephalosporins.