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Home / Equine Research Bank / Antibiotics (Basel) / Preliminary Investigation of Side Effects of Polymyxin B Adm...
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)2023; 12(5); 854; doi: 10.3390/antibiotics12050854

Preliminary Investigation of Side Effects of Polymyxin B Administration in Hospitalized Horses.

Abstract: Neuro- and nephrotoxicity of polymyxins are known but clinical studies in horses are lacking. The aim of this study was to describe neurogenic and nephrogenic side effects of hospitalized horses receiving Polymyxin B (PolyB) as part of their treatment plan. Twenty horses diagnosed with surgical colic ( = 11), peritonitis ( = 5), typhlocolitis ( = 2), pneumonia, and pyometra (each = 1) were included. Antimicrobial treatment was randomized to GENTA (gentamicin 10 mg/kg bwt q24 h IV, penicillin 30.000 IU/kg q6 h IV) or NO GENTA (marbofloxacin 2 mg/kg bwt q24 h IV, penicillin 30.000 IU/kg q6 h IV). The duration of PolyB treatment ranged from 1 to 4 days. Clinical and neurological examinations were performed, and serum PolyB concentrations were measured daily during and three days following PolyB treatment. Urinary analysis, plasma creatinine, urea and SDMA were assessed every other day. Video recordings of neurological examinations were graded by three blinded observers. All horses showed ataxia during PolyB treatment in both groups (median maximum ataxia score of 3/5, range 1-3/5). Weakness was detected in 15/20 (75%) horses. In 8/14 horses, the urinary γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT)/creatinine ratio was elevated. Plasma creatinine was mildly elevated in 1/16 horses, and SDMA in 2/10 horses. Mixed-model analysis showed a significant effect of time since last PolyB dose ( = 0.0001, proportional odds: 0.94) on the ataxia score. Ataxia and weakness should be considered as reversible adverse effects in hospitalized horses receiving PolyB. Signs of tubular damage occurred in a considerable number of horses; therefore, the nephrotoxic effect of polymyxins should be considered and urinary function monitored.
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Publication Date: 2023-05-05 PubMed ID: 37237756PubMed Central: PMC10215903DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12050854Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research explores the side effects of Polymyxin B (PolyB) on hospitalized horses, focusing mainly on neurogenic and nephrogenic side effects. The scientists discovered that PolyB causes ataxia and weakness in horses, which are considered reversible, but also significant tubular kidney damage, denoting a nephrotoxic effect.

Study Background and Aim

  • Polymyxin B is a known antibiotic with potential neuro- and nephrotoxic effects. However, studies on its effects on horses are limited.
  • In response to this knowledge gap, this study was aimed at describing the neurogenic and nephrogenic side effects of hospitalized horses receiving PolyB as part of their treatment regime.

Methodology

  • Twenty horses, suffering from various conditions, were included in the study and given different treatments, including PolyB.
  • Standardized clinical and neurological exams and serum PolyB measurements were conducted daily during the treatment and for three days afterwards. Kidney-related parameters were assessed every other day.
  • Neurological examination results were recorded via video and evaluated by three impartial observers.

Results

  • All horses displayed ataxia (loss of coordination) during the PolyB treatment, for both treatment groups. This ataxia was moderate in severity (median score of 3 out of 5) and displayed a variety of intensities (1-3 out of 5).
  • Weakness was detected in 75% of the horses.
  • In about 57% of the horses, urinary gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) to creatinine ratio was increased, indicating kidney damage.
  • Only a low proportion of horses showed elevated plasma creatinine and SDMA indicating minor kidney damage.
  • A significant effect of time since the last PolyB dose on the ataxia score was established, suggesting that the side effects could be reversible.

Conclusion

  • The study concludes that while PolyB administration in horses leads to reversible neurogenic side effects such as ataxia and weakness, it also results in considerable nephrotoxic (kidney-related) effects. Thus, any therapeutic use of polymyxins in horses should consider these side effects and include regular monitoring of urinary function.

Cite This Article

APA
van Spijk JN, Beckmann K, Wehrli Eser M, Stirn M, Steuer AE, Saleh L, Schoster A. (2023). Preliminary Investigation of Side Effects of Polymyxin B Administration in Hospitalized Horses. Antibiotics (Basel), 12(5), 854. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12050854

Publication

Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2079-6382
NlmUniqueID: 101637404
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 5
PII: 854

Researcher Affiliations

van Spijk, Julia N
  • Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Beckmann, Katrin
  • Department of Small Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Wehrli Eser, Meret
  • Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Stirn, Martina
  • Departement for Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Steuer, Andrea E
  • Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Saleh, Lanja
  • Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
Schoster, Angelika
  • Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.

Grant Funding

  • 569545 / American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
  • 2018-02 / Stiftung Pro Pferd

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Teymouri S, Pourhajibagher M, Bahador A. A review of the fighting Acinetobacter baumannii on three fronts: antibiotics, phages, and nanoparticles. Mol Biol Rep 2024 Oct 8;51(1):1044.
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