Chemotherapeutic efficacy of oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin and imidocarb for the elimination of persistent Anaplasma marginale infection in naturally infected Sahiwal cattle

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin and imidocarb for the elimination of persistent Anaplasma marginale infection in naturally infected Sahiwal cattle. A total of sixty Anaplasma marginale seropositive adult Sahiwal cattle were selected having their ages between 3-4 years ranging in weight from 246-341 kg. The animals were divided in four groups designated as OXY-group-I, ENRO-group-II, IMC-group-III and control-group-IV, comprising 15 animals each. The seropositive animals received either oxytetracycline (22 mg/kg IV once in a day for five days), enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg IV once in a day for five days) or imidocarb (5 mg/kg IM twice, 7 days apart). The results of chemo sterilization study indicated that oxytetracycline 13/15 (86.67%) and imidocarb dipropionate 11/15 (73.33%) eliminated Anaplasma marginale infection in adult naturally infected carrier cattle around the 56 `h post-treatment day. The carrier clearance was confirmed by cELISA followed by subinoculation of blood in seronegative splenectomized calves. It was concluded that oxytetracycline is more effective and safe in chemosterilization of persistent Anaplasma marginale infection in cattle.