Lameness in weaned pigs associated with tetracycline overdose. A case report.

On a piglet producing farm severe lameness was observed in pigs which had been weaned 3 weeks and longer due to severe distortions of joints and claws of fore and/or hind legs. Splaying of claws as well as flexural limb deformations particularly in the carpal joints increased in degree the older and heavier the pigs were. Because of coughing in the weaners, which had started 7-8 weeks before any lameness or limb deformation had been apparent, tetracycline was applied via water as medication. During the course of an on-site investigation, a miscalculation of dosage - 129-168 mg tetracycline per kg body weight - was revealed. It was therefore suggested to the farmer and his veterinarian to immediately stop the application of tetracycline and to use a different antibiotic against the still present coughing and sneezing. During a follow-up evaluation 4 weeks later, the farmer reported a significant decrease in affected animals. While a direct correlation between the lameness in the weaned pigs and the tetracycline dosage could not be proven, the existing evidence supports the theory that the overdosage was at least a contributing factor.

Case of anaphylaxis due to tetracycline hydrochloride.

A 17-year-old Japanese woman showed anaphylaxis after taking tetracycline hydrochloride, pyridoxal phosphate, flavin adenine dinucleotide sodium and ascorbic acid. Prick tests were performed for these suspicious drugs and anaphylaxis due to tetracycline hydrochloride was diagnosed.

Outbreak of acute colitis on a horse farm associated with tetracycline-contaminated sweet feed.

Exposure of a group of horses to tetracycline-contaminated feed resulted in acute colitis and subsequent death in one horse and milder diarrhea in 3 others. The most severely affected animal demonstrated clinical and pathological findings typical of colitis X. The other herdmates responded well to administration of zinc bacitracin.

[Detection of antibiotics in biological materials for purposes of toxicological analysis. I. Methodologic study for the detection of tetracycline]. / Prukaz nekterých antibiotik v biologickém materiálu pro úcely toxikologické analýzy. I. Metodická studie pro prukaz tetracyklinu.

A method of the identification of tetracycline antibiotics in urine and gastric content, suitable for the routine toxicological analysis, was worked out. For the isolation, the extraction with ethyl acetate is recommended. The TLC method on Silufol layers impregnated with an aqueous solution of the disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Na2EDTA), in the concentration of 0.1 mol/l and pH value of 5 or 7.4 is used for the identification. The mobile phase chloroform--methanol--Na2EDTA 55:30:5 is suitable for the development of these layers; UV light of the wavelength 254 or 366 nm and Fast Blue B reagent are used for the detection. The conditions of the TLC (various modifications of the layer, mobile phase and detection) and the extraction solvents suitable for the isolation are discussed.

[Use of bioflavonoids to prevent the harmful action of tetracycline on the liver]. / Ispol'zovanie bioflavonoidov dlia profilaktiki otritsatel'nogo deistviia tetratsiklina na pechen'.

It was shown in experiments on male albino rats that the plant bioflavonoids flamin, flakumin and tanaflon had hepatoprotective properties in liver function impairment caused by tetracycline intoxication. This was evident from a significant improvement of biliary secretion, synthesis and secretion of bile acids and bile secretion of bilirubin and cholesterol not only in the animals untreated with tetracycline but also in the controls. A decrease in the activity of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase in the serum was indicative of the pronounced hepatoprotective effect of the bioflavonoids. They inhibited lipid peroxidation in the hepatocyte membranes evident from a decrease in the content of malonic dialdehyde and diene conjugates in liver homogenates. The antioxidant properties were especially pronounced in tanaflon. Correlation between lipid peroxidation, activity of the transferases and alkaline phosphatase and cholopoiesis both in tetracycline intoxication and in the prophylaxis and treatment with flamin, flakumin and tanaflon was shown.

The teaspoon dose.

A teaspoon dose (5 ml) is not necessarily a paediatric dose, since the amount of a drug in 5 ml of a preparation may not be the same as that in a tablet. Suggestions for standardizing the quantities of medicine in liquid form are given and the 'Ten Commandments' for safe prescribing for infants and children are stated.

Tetracycline poisoning in renal failure.

Seven cases are reported in which drugs of the tetracycline group produced a fall in the glomerular filtration rate. In six patients there was a primary underlying renal disease and renal impairment. All seven patients were made seriously ill by the antibiotic. Two patients required immediate haemodialysis; one died and the other continued on dialysis until transplanted. Another patient initially responded to intravenous fluids and protein restriction but his renal function deteriorated and four months later he began maintenance haemodialysis. Three patients required peritoneal dialysis. The seventh patient responded satisfactorily to conservative management. The medical and medicolegal complications arising from the use of tetracycline in patients with renal disease are discussed. Yet another plea is made that drugs of the tetracycline group other than doxycycline should not be given to patients with chronic renal failure.