Immunomodulatory and Therapeutic Potential of Enrofloxacin in Bovine Sub Clinical Mastitis

Abstract

Immunomodulatory and therapeutic potential of Enrofloxacin was studied in bovine sub clinical mastitis (SCM). The therapeutic efficacy was adjudged by Somatic cell count and Total bacterial count of the milk, whereas, the immuno modulatory potential of the drug was assessed by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) and acid phosphates (ACP) enzyme level in the milk leukocytes. Forty-five cows were divided into three equal groups. Gr I consisting 15 cows served as healthy control, whereas, 30 cows (SCM), Gr II and Gr III, selected on the basis of California Mastitis Test (CMT) positive reaction. Gr II cows received 150 mg of Enrofloxacin, once a day for three days and Gr.III received sterile 5 ml PBS (pH 7.4) for 7days, both the treatment were given by intramammary route. The observation was made up to 30 days post-treatment (PT). The CMT of the healthy milk was negative (0), whereas, it ranged between 1 point score and 2 point score in SCM. The Somatic cell count (SCC) and Total bacterial count (TBC) decreased significantly (p<0.05) on day 3 PT in GrII cows in Enrofloxacin treated group, however, such changes were insignificant in PBS treated group. Traces of MPO and ACP enzyme were found in the healthy milk. The mean ACP level enhanced by 70% on day 3 PT in GrII and only 18.7% in Gr. III cows. The mean MPO level enhanced to 32% in Gr. II and 18 % in Gr. III cows on day 3 PT. Concomitant use of Enrofloxacin in SCM at sub optimal dose was found to reduce the bacterial load by increasing the bactericidal enzyme level in the milk polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in bovine SCM, which indicates its immunomodulatory potential in mastitis. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 6 : 889-893)