Comparative effectiveness of interventions for treating interdigital necrobacillosis in cattle: A network meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the efficacy of different antimicrobial agents against interdigital necrobacillosis (IN) in cattle to identify the treatment with the greatest benefit. A network meta-analysis was used to synthesise empirical results from randomised controlled trials. Four studies with five interventions for 565 animals were included. The meta-analysis found no significant differences between the risk ratios for the antimicrobials versus placebo. However, ceftiofur sodium administered intramuscularly at a dose of 1.0 µg/kg body weight every 24 h for 3 days showed a better clinical response than 6.6 µg of oxytetracycline, 2.5 µg of tulathromycin, the placebo and 0.1 µg of ceftiofur sodium. The results show the best efficacy for 6.6 µg of oxytetracycline and 1.0 µg of ceftiofur sodium. Nevertheless, the latter is likely to be superior to oxytetracycline in terms of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties. Thus, 1.0 µg of ceftiofur sodium appears to provide the best therapeutic activity against IN in cattle. Further well-designed studies are required.

​Comparative Studies on Therapeutic Efficacy Intrauterine Turmeric Extract and Ceftiofur Sodium Alone and in Combination with Micronutrients Supplementation in Postpartum Metritic Crossbred Cows

Background: The postpartum period is crucial in dairy cows and is marked by major physiological and metabolic changes that affect milk production, immune response and fertility. Nutrition remains the most important lever for limiting the negative energy balance and its consequences on general health status in highly selected dairy cows. Therefore, the present study is design to investigate the Therapeutic efficacy intrauterine turmeric extract and ceftiofur sodium alone and in combination with micronutrients supplementation in postpartum metritic crossbred cows. Methods: The present study was conducted on 24 crossbred cows with history of postpartum metritis randomly divided into four treatment groups: intrauterine turmeric extract (group I), intramuscular ceftiofur sodium (group II), intrauterine turmeric extract + micronutrient supplementation (group III) and intramuscular ceftiofur sodium + micronutrient supplementation (group IV). Result: The mean time interval required for resumption of cyclicity was highest in gp II followed by gp I, gp III and gp IV. The group turmeric extract + micronutrients supplementation and ceftiofur sodium + micronutrients supplementation group registered a considerable higher conception rate (66.66) followed by (50%) in turmeric extract and ceftiofur sodium group.

Effect of Antibiotics on the Haemocyte Count and Rearing Performance of Silkworm Bombyx mori L.

Background: Antibiotic agents have been used in recent years to increase the growth of silkworm larvae and to improve production. In this context, the present investigation reported the effects of ceftiofur sodium, oxytetracycline and enroflaxcin on total haemocyte count (cells/mm3), survival percentage and economic characteristics in silkworm Bombyx mori L. at various concentration levels. The study regarding the effect of antibiotics was conducted on the silkworm breed APS-45. Three concentrations (0.05%, 0.10% and 0.15%) were prepared for each antibiotic. The worms were reared upto 3rd instar without any treatment. After third moult silkworms were supplemented with antibiotic fortified mulberry leaves. Results: The experimental results showed that the effect of different antibiotics on economic parameters like larval weight, larval duration, cocoon weight, shell ratio and raw silk percentage were significantly increased in the treated lines in comparison to the control. Antibiotics also increased survival percentage and the most effective result was obtained at 0.15% of ceftiofur sodium followed by oxytetracycline and enroflaxcin. In the present study highest THC value of 9157.33 mm/cm3 was recorded in treatment ceftiofur sodium treated batch at concentration C3 0.15%. An increment in the total haemocyte count was observed in other treatments as well and the cell count increased with an increase in concentration of antibiotic dosage and the effectiveness of the antibiotics followed the order ceftiofur sodium, oxytetracycline and enroflaxcin. Conclusion: This research outlines that there is a significant improvement in the total haemocyte count and economic traits in silkworm with the supplementation of antibiotic fortified mulberry leaves. The antibiotic treatment has significantly improved the raw silk percentage and has been found to be effective in reducing the mortality of silkworms. So, this antibiotic fortification can be further exploited for higher raw silk production.