High-pressure liquid chromatography and microbiological assay in the determination of serum levels using cefradine and cefaclor.

A method for the identification of cefradine and cefaclor by high-pressure liquid chromatography is described in detail. The antibacterial activity in the serum of ten subjects was determined by microbiological methods and by the HPLC method. No statistically significant difference exists between the values obtained by the two procedures. No decomposition of antibiotic occurs in the preparation of the serum sample for HPLC. The recovery rate was 94-105%. With the HPLC method 10 samples can be analysed within 70 min. The advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed.