Field Efficacy Trials of the Antibacterial Sarafloxacin-Hydrochloride (A-56620) for Treatment Against Edwardsiella ictaluri Infections in Channel Catfish (Ictaturus punctatus)
Michael R. Johnson1, DVM, MS; Katherine L. Smith1, MS;
Carolyn R. Boyle2, MS
Nine field trials were conducted to determine the efficacy of
sarafloxacin-hydrochloride in the treatment of naturally and experimentally induced infections
of Edwardsiella ictaluri in channel catfish. Six trials were terminated prior to
completion for various reasons beyond our control, i.e., mink and muskrat damage, wide
temperature fluctuations outside the Edwardsiella ictaluri temperature window, and the
nonoccurrence of naturally and experimentally induced Edwardsiella ictaluri
infections. In the three complete trials (numbers 6, 8, and 9), sarafloxacin-hydrochloride
in the feed proved efficacious in treating channel catfish infected with Edwardsiella
ictaluri. In field trial 6 sarafloxacin-hydrochloride significantly (P<0.05) increased
the average percent survival from 43X in unmedicated fish to 69% in the fish receiving the
sarafloxacin-hydrochloride medicated feed. Similar results were also found in field trial 8
where sarafloxacin-hydrochloride significantly (P<0.05) increased the average percent
survival from 11% in unmedicated fish to 48% in the fish receiving the
sarafloxacin-hydrochloride medicated feed. The results were similar in field trial 9, in which
sarafloxacin-hydrochloride significantly (P<0.05) increased the percent survival from 58% in
unmedicated fish to 73% in the fish receiving the sarafloxacin-hydrochloride medicated feed. In
field trial 9, Romet was tested. Romet medicated feed fed at twice the recommended dose
increased the average percent survival to 82%. The Romet medicated feed fed at twice the
recommended dosage significantly (P<0.05) increased percent survival when compared to
fingerlings fed both the non-medicated feed and sarafloxacin-hydrochloride medicated feed.