Influence of therapeutic use of feedgrade tetracyclines in combination with tulathromycin metaphylaxis on animal health and performance of Holstein steer calves

Effects of sulfamethazine and tetracycline at molecular, cellular and tissue levels in Eisenia fetida earthworms

Soil contamination by antibiotics is a global issue of great concern that contributes to the rise of bacterial antibiotic resistance and can have toxic effects on non-target organisms. This study evaluated the variations of molecular, cellular, and histological parameters in Eisenia fetida earthworms exposed to sulfamethazine (SMZ) and tetracycline (TC), two antibiotics commonly found in agricultural soils. The earthworms were exposed for 14 days to a series of concentrations (0, 10, 100, and 1000 mg/kg) of both antibiotics. SMZ and TC did not affect the survival of E. fetida, however, other effects at different levels of biological complexity were detected. The two highest concentrations of SMZ reduced the viability of coelomocytes. At the highest TC concentration, there was a noticeable decline in cell viability, acetylcholinesterase activity (neurotoxicity), and the relative presence of mucopolysaccharides in the epidermis (mucous production). Glutathione S-transferase activity decreased in all TC treatments and at the highest SMZ concentration. However, levels of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls did not change, suggesting an absence of oxidative stress. Tetracycline was neurotoxic to E. fetida and changed the integrity of the epidermis. Both antibiotics altered the intestinal microbiota of E. fetida, leading to a reduction in the relative abundance of bacteria from the phyla Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, while causing an increase in the phylum Actinobacteroidota. All observed changes indicate that both SMZ and TC can disrupt the earthworms' immune system and gut microbiome, while fostering the growth of bacteria that harbour antibiotic resistance genes. Finally, both antibiotics exerted additional metabolic and physiological effects that increased the vulnerability of E. fetida to pathogens.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of two in-feed chlortetracycline regimens provided to beef cattle

Plasma chlortetracycline (CTC) concentration data were subjected to Monte Carlo simulation of area under the concentration curve (AUC) values related to bovine respiratory disease pathogen MIC distributions to evaluate target attainment rates. Crossbred Hereford heifers were randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Treatment group (A) received chlortetracycline (CTC) at a target dose of 22 mg/kg of bodyweight daily for 5 consecutive days (n = 8) and group (B) received CTC at 350 mg/head per day (1.5 ± 0.2 mg/kg based on actual bodyweights) for seven consecutive days (n = 8). Non-compartmental analysis was used to calculate plasma-free drug CTC area under the concentration curves. The mean observed (±SD) free drug AUC values were 4.18 (±1.72) μg × h/mL and 0.30 (±0.06) μg × h/mL for treatment groups A and B, respectively. The probability of target attainment for AUC24/MIC values of 25 and 12.5 was modeled using Monte Carlo simulations. Treatment group A achieved >90% target attainment (AUC24/MIC of 25) at an MIC of 0.06 μg/mL, whereas treatment group B displayed only 12.6% target attainment (AUC24/MIC of 12.5) at the lowest MIC evaluated (0.015 μg/mL). Both in-feed CTC regimens failed to obtain a reasonable target attainment rate in light of expected MIC distributions of potential pathogens.

Maximum levels of cross-contamination for 24 antimicrobial active substances in non-target feed. Part 12: Tetracyclines: tetracycline, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, and doxycycline

The specific concentrations of tetracycline, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline and doxycycline in non-target feed for food-producing animals, below which there would not be an effect on the emergence of, and/or selection for, resistance in bacteria relevant for human and animal health, as well as the specific antimicrobial concentrations in feed which have an effect in terms of growth promotion/increased yield were assessed by EFSA in collaboration with EMA. Details of the methodology used for this assessment, associated data gaps and uncertainties are presented in a separate document. To address antimicrobial resistance, the Feed Antimicrobial Resistance Selection Concentration (FARSC) model developed specifically for the assessment was applied. The FARSC for these four tetracyclines was estimated. To address growth promotion, data from scientific publications obtained from an extensive literature review were used. Levels in feed that showed to have an effect on growth promotion/increased yield were reported for tetracycline, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, whilst for doxycycline no suitable data for the assessment were available. Uncertainties and data gaps associated with the levels reported were addressed. It was recommended to perform further studies to supply more diverse and complete data related to the requirements for calculation of the FARSC for these antimicrobials.