Analysis of dynamics of phagocytic indices in ducklings caused by administration of enrofloxacin

We have studied the effect of Enrofloxacin, administered via drinking water at a concentration of 200 g/L, on phagocytic activity of pseudoeosinophils in the blood of ducklings. Enrofloxacin belongs to the second generation of fluoroquinolones, and it is an antibacterial drug which is used only in veterinary medicine. This drug is widely used in poultry farming due to its excellent pharmacodynamic and antimicrobial properties. In the present study we divided one-day-old ducklings of breed Bashkir duck into 2 groups. The ducklings of Group I (control group) received pure drinking water and Group II received Enrofloxacin via drinking water at a concentration of 200 mg/L for 10 consecutive days. We collected blood samples on Day 1, Day 3, Day 5, Day 7, Day 9 and Day 11 after the withdrawal of the drug. We studied phagocytic activity, phagocytic number, phagocytic index and neutrophil phagocytic capacity after incubation with Staphylococcus aureus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae or 30 min. and 120 min. We discovered reliable changes in pseudoeosinophil parameters of duckling blood in the experimental group that were more marked and lasting in the case of exposure to Staphylococcus aureus. In accordance with that the analysis of the dynamics revealed certain immunostimulating effect of Enrofloxacin though it was mild and transient.