Efficacy of gamithromycin injection against cattle respiratory disease

Abstract

Abstract Background Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a highly prevalent and economically costly disease affecting cattle. Extensive research has been carried out to elucidate the economic impact of the disease, therapeutic modalities and preventive measures. This disease has a detrimental effect in terms of increased mortality, escalating treatment costs and significant production losses. Results Given the far-reaching impact of BRD, further scientific research into effective prevention and intervention strategies is imperative to mitigate its adverse effects on the livestock industry. Gamithromycin is a new semi-synthetic macrolide animal-specific antibiotic, mainly for treating respiratory diseases caused by bacteria in cattle, with the characteristics of rapid absorption and high bioavailability. To determine the therapeutic effect of gamithromycin injection at the recommended dose on the target indications in the field, Sixty sick, diseased cattle meeting the study eligibility criteria were randomly divided into two groups (30 cattle in each group): a test group, which received gamithromycin injection at a dose of 6 mg/kg body weight (BW); and a control group, which received tulathromycin injection at the recommended dose (2.5 mg/kg BW). During the test period, the following observations were made on the sick cattle: from day 0 to day 14 of administration, the injection site was observed daily for any reaction, body temperature was measured, and mental status and respiratory symptoms were scored according to the criteria. Conclusions The results showed that the study drug gamithromycin had an excellent therapeutic effect on BRD. Gamithromycin can effectively clear BRD associated with the main pathogenic bacteria, such as P. multocida, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, S. pneumoniae, and other pathogenic bacteria can be effectively cleared. Most sick cattle recovered to normal 4–5 days after administration, with an effective rate of more than 90% and a cure rate of up to 80%, comparable to that with injection with the control veterinary drug, tulathromycin (P > 0.05).