Evaluation of the efficacy of gallium maltolate for chemoprophylaxis against pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi infection in foals.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the chemoprophylactic effect of gallium maltolate on the cumulative incidence of pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi infection in foals.

ANIMALS:

483 foals born and raised on 12 equine breeding farms with a history of endemic R equi infections.

PROCEDURES:

Group 1 foals were treated with a placebo and group 2 foals were treated with gallium maltolate (approx 30 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h) during the first 2 weeks after birth. Foals were monitored for development of pneumonia attributable to R equi infection and for adverse effects of gallium maltolate.

RESULTS:

There were no significant differences in the cumulative incidence of R equi pneumonia among the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

Chemoprophylaxis via gallium maltolate administered orally at approximately 30 mg/kg daily for the first 2 weeks after birth failed to reduce the cumulative incidence of pneumonia attributable to R equi infection among foals on breeding farms with endemic R equi infections. Further investigation is needed to identify strategies for control of R equi infections.

• Authors: M Keith Chaffin, Noah D Cohen, Ronald J Martens, Michael O'Conor, Lawrence R Bernstein
• Journal: American journal of veterinary research (Am J Vet Res) Vol. 72 Issue 7 Pg. 945-57 (Jul 2011) ISSN: 1943-5681 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21728856 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Organometallic Compounds
• Pyrones
• gallium maltolate

Topics

• Actinomycetales Infections (epidemiology, prevention & control, veterinary)
• Animals
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Antibiotic Prophylaxis (veterinary)
• Female
• Horse Diseases (epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Horses (microbiology)
• Male
• Organometallic Compounds (therapeutic use)
• Pneumonia, Bacterial (epidemiology, prevention & control, veterinary)
• Pyrones (therapeutic use)
• Rhodococcus equi (drug effects, physiology)