Treatment of septicaemia and severe bacterial infections in foals with a new cefquinome formulation: a field study.

This research study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of a new cefquinome medication in treating severe bacterial infections and septicemia in foals. The study found that the treatment was successful in 87.2% of cases and was well-tolerated by the foals, with no observed relapses.

Study Design and Procedures

• A multi-center field study was administered adhering to the VICH Guideline on Good Clinical Practice to verify the effectiveness and safety of a new cefquinome formulation.
• The study focused on 39 foals that were naturally suffering from severe bacterial infections such as pneumonia, gastro-enteritis, arthritis, omphalitis, and wound infections, or acute septicaemia.
• The new cefquinome formulation was administered to the foals twice daily, first intravenously for three days, followed by intramuscular injections for three to 11 days.
• The team of investigators carried out daily examinations on the foals and took note of both systemic and local clinical signs to assess the response to treatment, the success of the treatment, and any relapses.

Observations and Findings

• Assessment of blood samples from each foal was completed for IgG determination and blood culture at the start of the study. Additional samples were collected in instances of abnormal clinical findings for bacteriology.
• The treatment was effectual in 87.2% of cases, equating to 34 out of 39 foals in the study. No relapses were noted among the foals, and the average period of treatment was 7.5 days.
• Bacterial culture, at the start of the study, revealed positive results in 40.5% of the blood cultures. The frequently isolated bacteria strains were Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, and Staphylococcus spp., all of which were susceptible to cefquinome.
• Escherichia coli was predominantly present in umbilical and open wound infection swabs, and in rectal swabs.

Summary and Conclusions

• The study found no correlation between the level of IgG at the start of the study and the outcome or duration of the treatment.
• There was a high degree of tolerance by all the foals for the new cefquinome formulation following both intravenous and intramuscular injections.
• The cefquinome formulation under investigation proved both effective and safe for treating severe bacterial infections and septicaemia in foals under field conditions.