The effects of several antibiotics on neutrophil phagocytosis in the peripheral blood of sheep (in vivo)

Abstract

The object of this study was in vivo evaluation of the effects of some common antibiotics in treatment of microbial infections on neutrophil phagocytosis in sheep. A period of antibiotic therapy administered in six sheep female lambs (oxytetracycline 5 mg/kg body weight (BW), enrofloxacin 5 mg/kg BW, penicillin 20,000 IU/kg BW, and lincospectin 1 ml/10 kg BW). Blood sample was taken in first, third, sixth, and ninth day of antibiotic therapy (first sample in day 1 was prior to administration) and tested for yeast phagocytosis. Mixed model (REML) was used as a statistical procedure. The results of this study show that estimated mean percentages of yeast phagocytosis were statistically significant between all antibiotics (P < 0.0001). Generally, antibiotics enhanced yeast phagocytosis up to sixth day. Lincospectin and oxytetracycline values returned in ninth day to its previous state on the first day, but, enrofloxacin and penicillin values were high even in ninth day (i.e., they need more time to decrease to the levels before drug administration). In conclusion, in vivo antibiotic therapy enhanced neutrophil in vitro yeast phagocytosis test.