On June 15 Merck Animal Health introduces a new BRD treatment and control antimicrobial which its data shows has great promise to help battle the shipping fever complex, a key animal health challenge.

Developed by its R&D department in Germany and introduced in Europe last September for cattle and swine, Merck's Zuprevo offers a set of unique characteristics which should be highly useful for beef producers dealing with Bovine Respiratory Disease, says Eric Moore, Merck technical services manager.

Zuprevo is long-lasting, fast-acting and highly syringable, Moore says.

New Zuprevo antimicrobial offers unique characteristics for treatment of shipping fever complex.

It is a macrolide which has no usage in human medicine, Moore adds. That should help it keep clear of the antibiotic controversy about antibiotic usage in food animals and human antibiotic resistance. Zuprevo is also very safe for human handlers, with extremely low toxicity.

Moore explains macrolides block protein synthesis in bacterial cells, making them unable to sustain life functions. In addition, Zuprevo's specific 16-membered ring structure appears less susceptible to a common antimicrobial-resistance mechanism shared by many species of bacteria, he says.

ZUPREVO is labeled for treatment of BRD associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Histophilus somni in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle, and for the control of respiratory disease in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Histophilus somni. These bacterial pathogens are commonly associated with respiratory disease in cattle.

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Zuprevo kills Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida and suppresses M. haemolytica, P. multocida and Histophilus somni

It has a 21-day withdrawal and a low dosage rate of 1 ml/100 pounds of body weight, with a maximum of 10 ml per injection site. It is to be administered subcutaneously.

Because of its structure Zuprevo offers a distinctive combination of performance properties. It has prolonged concentration in lung tissue – the site of action – and in bronchial fluids, and it has rapid absorption in the system. Studies show Zuprevo reaches peak plasma concentrations in just 45 minutes and transports and distributes well throughout lung tissues.

It is also possible Zuprevo could help with prevention of shipping fever prior to stresses from sale, co-mingling and shipping. Moore says Merck Animal Health has data which indicates five or more days of protection may be gained by treatment prior to shipment.

Merck has included unique language on the label to help increase product usability and decrease issues with "extralabel" usage, Moore adds. The label says:

"Clinical field studies indicate that administration of Zuprevo 18% (tildipirosin) Injectable Solution is effective for the control of respiratory disease in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle at "high risk" of developing BRD. Calves at high risk of developing BRD typically experience one or more of the following risk factors:

Zuprevo will be available in 50ml, 100ml and 250ml bottles.

For information go to www.usa.zuprevo-cattle.com or contact a local Merck Animal Health representative.

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