Liquid Chromatographic Assays of Antimicrobial Agents

Abstract

The increased use of antibiotics has prompted the need for rapid, sensitive and specific methods for monitoring concentrations in the biological samples. Methods available for detection and quantitation of antibiotics include microbiologic assays, radioimmunoassays, enzyme immunoassays, fluorescent immunoassays, fluorescence polarization immunoassays, latex agglutination and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC has played an increasing role in therapeutic monitoring of antibiotics since the 1970's. This paper provides a brief overview of the basic principles of HPLC as well as describes methods and procedures available for assaying many antimicrobial agents in use today.