Network meta-analysis of the therapeutic effects of various antibiotics on footrot in sheep and cattle

Abstract

The present network meta-analysis was performed to compare the effects of antibiotics used in treating footrot in some ruminants and to rank these antibiotics based on their efficacy. Data of 14 eligible studies consisting of 5622 affected animals was included in the analysis. A Bayesian method and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulations were utilized to analyze data. The estimated results were reported in the form of odds ratios (ORs) with 95% credible intervals (CrI). The Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve (SUCRA) was used to rank antibiotics. Network meta-regressions (NMRs) were conducted to examine the influence of sample sizes, treatment duration, route of administration, and species of animals (sheep and cattle) on the overall outcome. The results indicated that gamithromycin impact on curing footrot was superior to other antibiotics and Lincomycin and oxytetracycline were ranked second and third. The difference between the impact of gamithromycin and amoxicillin (OR = 14.76, CrI: 1.07–193.49) and enrofloxacin (OR = 20.21, CrI: 1.57–229.25) on footrot was significant. There was a significant difference between the effect of oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin (OR = 5.24, CrI: 1.14–23.74) on footrot. The NMR performed based on species of animals fitted data better than network meta-analysis, suggesting erythromycin as the best third antibiotic instead of oxytetracycline. Egger's regression test and the shape of the funnel plot showed no publication bias among included studies. In conclusion, gamithromycin was associated with the highest curing rate benefit when used to treat footrot, followed by lincomycin and oxytetracycline/erythromycin. Among all evaluated antibiotics, enrofloxacin showed the lowest effects on footrot.