The effect of gamithromycin and gentamicin on some vitamins and serum parameters in cases of clinical and sub-clinical paratuberculosis in dairy cattle

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Amin Amini 1
Abdonnaser Mohebi 2
Mohammad Reza Aslani 1
Afshin Jafari-Dehkordi 2
1 Department of Clinical Sciences
2 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
10.22034/ijvcs.2026.15046.1103
Abstract
Paratubeculosis is a chronic and progressive enteritis in ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), results to economic losses including reduce milk production, weight loss, culling and mortality. Currently, there is no definitive treatment for paratuberculosis in cattle, though several therapeutic agents have been used with limited and controversial results. In this study, 40 MAP antibody-positive dairy cattle were selected, comprising 20 clinical and 20 subclinical cases. The cattle were divided into four groups, with each group containing 10 animals. The groups were treated with either gentamicin or gamithromycin for a duration of 56 days. Blood samples were collected weekly and the serum was used for measurement of MAP antibody titre, vitamin B12, vitamin D, total protein, albumin, creatinine and BUN. A significant elevation of serum vitamin B12 and reduction of MAP antibody titre were observed in clinical and subclinical cases of paratuberculosis treated by gentamicine. Negative correlation was also observed between serum vitamin B12 and vitamin D with MAP antibody titre. No significant chamges were observed in renal biomarker in bowth groups during study. The study suggests that gentamicin may provide some therapeutic benefit in treating paratuberculosis in dairy cattle by elevating vitamin B12 levels and reducing MAP antibody titres. The observed negative correlation between vitamin levels and MAP antibody titre could indicate a potential mechanism of action worth further exploration
Keywords
Paratuberculosis
Dairy cattle
Gamithromycin
Gentamicine
Vitamin D
Subjects
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Iranian Journal of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Volume 20, Issue 1 - Serial Number 34
Spring &Summer 2026
September 2026
Pages 35-45