RESUMO
In this study, the effect of ofloxacin on the immune response was investigated in sheep vaccinated with the live attenuated sheep pox virus vaccine. The evaluation of the cellular immune response revealed a significant decrease in total leucocytic count, lymphocyte blastogenesis, phagocytosis% and bacterial killing% in groups administered 10 and 20 mg ofloxacin/kg b. wt. once daily for five successive days either simultaneously with sheep pox virus vaccine or one week post vaccination. The administration of ofloxacin in therapeutic [10 mg/kg b. wt.] and double therapeutic [20 mg/kg b. wt.] doses either simultaneously with sheep pox virus vaccine or one week post vaccination produced a significant reduction in antibody titers, total serum proteins, globulins and albumin. The biochemical assay of sera revealed a significant decrease in the level of packed cell volume, hemoglobin percentage and iron in ofloxacin treated groups either simultaneously with sheep pox virus vaccine or one week post vaccination. However, ofloxacin treatment five days prior to vaccination evoked a insignificant variation in cellular and humoral immune response