Efficacy of various treatment regimens, using liposomal streptomycin in cows with brucellosis.

ABSTRACT

Thirty cows naturally infected with Brucella abortus were treated by various routes, using free or liposomal streptomycin or a combination of liposomal streptomycin and a long-acting oxytetracycline preparation. Of 21 cows treated with liposomal streptomycin alone, 3 (14%) were culture negative and 3 had 10 or fewer bacterial colonies isolated from tissues obtained at necropsy. Thirteen (62%) cows continued to shed organisms in udder secretions and were considered treatment failures. Of 9 cows that were given a combination of liposomal streptomycin and long-acting oxytetracycline, 5 (56%) were cured, 3 had 10 or fewer colonies on culture plates of tissue after necropsy and only 1 continued to shed B abortus in udder secretions after treatment. Eleven cows were given streptomycin liposomes by intramammary infusion with or without IM administration of long-acting oxytetracycline. The most effective regimen consisted of 2 intramammary infusions of streptomycin liposomes and 2 doses of oxytetracycline administered IM. Of 5 cows treated thusly, 2 were cured and all others had fewer than 10 B abortus colonies isolated from tissues obtained at necropsy.