Antimicrobial activity of gallium nitrate against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in neonatal calves.
M-E Fecteau, RH Whitlock, TL Fyock, SC McAdams, RC Boston, RW Sweeney
BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), the agent of Johne's disease in cattle, is a facultative intracellular bacterium that is dependent on ferric iron for its survival and replication. Gallium (Ga), a trivalent semimetal that shares many similarities with ferric iron and functions as an iron mimic has been shown to have in vitro antimicrobial activity against several microorganisms, including MAP. OBJECTIVES: (1) To investigate the antimicrobial activity of Ga in calves experimentally infected with MAP; and (2) to monitor for potential adverse effects of Ga on calf health. ANIMALS: Twelve Holstein calves. METHODS: Randomized blind controlled experiment. Beginning at..