[Experimental Prototheca mastitis in cattle and therapy with tetramisole hydrochloride]

In one cow all 4 quarters were infected with 2 x 10(8) germs of Prototheca zopfii each. 2 quarters of it were treated over 6 subsequent milking times with 20 ml Tetramisole hydrochloride (4 mg/kg body mass) in each case. Clinical symptoms diminished within 3-24 hours after the first application in comparison with the control quarters distinctly. Macroscopic alterations in the treated quarters could be found for a short time only, whereas they were evident in the control quarters for up to 2 days. The milk cell counts were raised til the 5. day p.i. The number of Prototheca excreted by treated quarters in each ml initial milk was reduced to 38% and in each ml end milk to 67% in comparison with the 2 control quarters. A more potent reduction of Prototheca can be expected after the application of Levamisole hydrochloride. At the future therapy applications after every milking time for at least 3 days with 25-40 ml of the preparations in each quarter are recommended. A total dose per animal and application time of 150 ml preparations (6 g Levamisole hydrochloride = 15 mg/kg body mass) must not be exceeded. Before Levamisole hydrochloride may be used for patients, susceptibility tests are necessary of the strains of Prototheca zopfii present and additional investigations for the reliability of the results hitherto obtained in one experimental Prototheca mastitis only.