The efficacy of a combination of azithromycin and toltrazuril for the treatment of calves naturally infected with cryptosporidiosis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparative clinical trial

WOS: 000405893300002Cryptosporidium spp. are important emerging pathogens that can cause infections in humans, especially in immunosuppressed patients. Treatment of diseased calves that shed the infectious stage of the protozoon is critically important to prevent contamination by Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. The objective of this study was to determine if a combination of azithromycin and toltrazuril provides a better treatment option for calf crypto-sporidiosis compared to the use of either agent alone. A total of 55 Holstein calves with cryptosporidiosis were randomly assigned into four groups. Group A (n = 15) received azithromycin at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day per os for six days, group T (n = 15) received toltrazuril at a dose of 20 mg/kg per os every other day on a total of three occasions, and group AT (n = 15) received the combination of both drugs. The control group (n = 10) received purified water. A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical study was designed. The number of oocysts in faeces and clinical parameters were followed daily. Selected haematological and biochemical parameters were measured at the beginning and end of the study. The calves receiving the combination of azithromycin and toltrazuril exhibited a better clinical score as well as the lowest number of oocysts at all time-points. In conclusion, the combination of azithromycin and toltrazuril promotes rapid clinical recovery in calves infected with cryptosporidiosis and stops oocyst shedding. Thus, the combination of azithromycin and toltrazuril is an effective alternative treatment option for calf cryptosporidiosis

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum and coexistence with Toxoplasma gondii in dogs.

PubMed: 19598086Neospora caninum is a protozoal agent causing abortion and infertility problems in dairy cattle. The objective of the present study was to detect the seroprevalence of N.caninum in dogs and its co-existence with Toxoplasma gondii in some rural and urban regions of Kirikka-le province. A total of 121 blood samples were examined with indirect immunoflorescent antibody test to detect the presence of N.caninum IgG antibodies. The seropositivity of N.caninum was 28.9% in dogs. The seropositivity rate was higher in male dogs than that of females (p 0.05). There was no significant difference amongst the age groups and location of the dogs (rural or urban) (p > 0.05). The N.caninum positive serum samples were also examined for the presence of antibodies for T.gondii by Sabin-Feldman Dye test in order to identify the possible serological co-infection, 1/16 and higher titres were evaluated as positive. According to test results, 19 out of 35 N.caninum seropositive dogs (54.3%) showed T.gondii seropositivity

THE SPREAD OF CANINE MONOCYTIC EHRLICHIOSIS IN TURKEY TO CENTRAL ANATOLIA

YILDIZ, Kader/0000-0001-5802-6156WOS: 000276579100003Ehrlichia canis, a rickettsial agent, causes canine monocytotropic ehrlichiosis (CME) in dogs characterized by fever, anorexia, weakness, and lymphadenopathy. In most cases, after the acute stage, the disease regresses to an asymptomatic form which may progress into a more severe chronic and often fatal form. Once transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks, it reaches the spleen, liver, lymph nodes via blood and lymph vessels. In the present study, dogs of different breeds and ages submitted to our clinics for various health problems, many of them with tick infestations, were examined serologically for ehrlichiosis. Blood samples were collected from a total of 122 dogs (66 females and 56 males) and analyzed using a commercial immunofluorescence antibody test kit. Total blood count was conducted using an automated cell counter. Seropositivity was detected in 18 dogs (14.75%), among which 17 had no clinical findings while one had a non-specific cough. The seropositive dogs had no specific clinical or hematological signs. It was concluded that these dogs were probably in the subclinical phase of the disease. Seropositivity in male and female dogs was 12.12% and 17.85%, respectively. The result of this study is demonstrates the expansion of canine ehrlichiosis into the dry regions of Anatolia. Therefore, we recommend that dogs especially those with tick infestations should be examined serologically for ehrlichiosis as subclinically infected dogs usually exhibit no clinical signs or hematological changes and may for unknown reasons revert to the chronic severe and usually fatal form of CME