Therapeutic Effect of Linco-Spectin on Airsacculitis in Chickens

Abstract

The therapeutic effects of Linco-Spectin, spectinomycin, and tylosin were evaluated against a dual infection of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Escherichia coli in 600 chickens. Six-day-old chicks were inoculated with MG via the thoracic air sac route. Six days later, they were inoculated with E. coli via the same route. Treatment was initiated after the infection was established (7 days after MG exposure). Parenteral administration of the antibiotic (20 to 30 mg/kg of body weight) was followed by water medication of the same antibiotic under test (2 g per gallon of drinking water for 5 to 10 days). Death losses were reduced, and weight gains increased in all treatment groups. The score index of airsacculitis was significantly lower in exposed birds that received Linco-Spectin than in the other treatment groups. The percent of pericarditis and perihepatitis was 60.2 in the exposed controls, 15.4 in exposed birds receiving tylosin, 10.9 in exposed birds given spectinomycin alone, and 1.2 in exposed birds receiving lincomycin and spectinomycin combination. Exposed groups given the antibiotic combination for 7 or 10 days had similar index values of airsacculitis. Both had significantly lower index values than groups given either spectinomycin or tylosin.