a technique previously described using bioencapsulation
of a drug within a food source (live
brine shrimp [LBS]) has been used for the treatment
of susceptible infectious diseases in aquatic
animals. Bioaccumulation is often performed
based on anecdotal information on a few drugs.
However, standardization of bioencapsulation for
effectively delivering a wide range of antibiotics
to fish is needed to direct future pharmacokinetic
studies.
Artemia spp. are highly palatable feed items
that are nonselective filter feeders, providing an
ideal transport mechanism of soluble pharmaceuticals.
Previous studies have shown that Artemia
spp. can accumulate numerous pharmacological
agents, mainly antibiotics. Some of
these antimicrobial agents have attained therapeutic
levels in fish that are fed the Artemia
spp. Currently, no studies are reported for
bioencapsulation of fenbendazole in Artemia spp.
The specific objectives of this study were to: 1)
determine fenbendazole concentration in LBS
with a bioaccumulation method, and 2) demonstrate
the relationship between exposure time
and concentrations on fenbendazole concentration
in the LBS.