Synergistic effect of co-administration of Tulathromycin and Enrofloxacin against Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in rabbits

Klebsiella Pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen of domestic animals .Antimicrobial resistance in K. pneumoniae is a major global health concern .This study aimed to identify antibacterial effect of Tulathromycin, Enrofloxacin and their combination in both in vivo and in vitro. 25 healthy male rabbits, averaging about 1.5 ± 0.4 kg in weight sectioned into five groups: (G1) as control, ( G2) challenged with K. pneumoniae,(G3) challenged with K. pneumoniae treated with Tulathromycin, (G4) challenged with K. pneumoniae+ treated with Enrofloxacin ,( G5) challenged with K. pneumoniae+ treated with both Tulathromycin and Enrofloxacin . K. pneumoniae was administrated to rabbits in groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 by endo tracheal inoculation once using a sterile gavage. K. pneumoniae infection affected CBC parameters by decreasing RBCS count, HB % level, while it significantly elevated WBCs and platelet count, on the same level there was up regulation in TNF-α, ALT and AST while down regulation in total protein and albumin. Treatment with Tulathromycin and Enrofloxacin or their combination resulted in enhancing of CBC levels and decreasing WBCs, platelets, TNF-α, ALT and AST levels while increasing RBCs, total protein and albumin. We concluded that either Tulathromycin or Enrofloxacin or their combination are considered a promising treatment for K. Pneumoniae infection.