The use of tetracyclines on the chemotherapy of experimental East Coast Fever (theileria parva infection of cattle).

In a series of experiments, groups of cattle, undergoing patent East Coast fever (ECF) reactions induced by the inoculation of tick-derived stabilates of Theileria parva infective particles, were treated by parenteral administration of 2 tetracyclines. Ten cattle were treated with n-pyrrolidinomethyl tetracycline at 15 mg/kg for 5 days, starting on the first day macroschizonts were detected in lymph node biopsy smears. Nine of these treated cattle survived ECF reactions induced by an inoculum which killed 7 of 10 untreated controls. The same tetracycline, at 10 mg/kg daily for 5 days from the first day of febrile response had no effect on the disease. Oxytetracycline was administered at 15 mg/kg daily for 5 days to 2 groups of cattle infected with ECF. All 5 cattle survived which were treated on the first day parasites were seen. Four of 5 survived in which treatment was delayed till the onset of febrile response. All 5 untreated controls in this experiment died.