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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 Apr;148(4):408-419.
doi: 10.1017/S0031182020002267. Epub 2020 Dec 2.

Efficacy of halofuginone products to prevent or treat cryptosporidiosis in bovine calves: a systematic review and meta-analyses

Julii Brainard  1 , Charlotte C Hammer  1 , Paul R Hunter  1 , Frank Katzer  2 , Georgina Hurle  1 , Kevin Tyler  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Efficacy of halofuginone products to prevent or treat cryptosporidiosis in bovine calves: a systematic review and meta-analyses

Julii Brainard et al. Parasitology. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

A prior systematic review on the efficacy of halofuginone (HFG) treatment to prevent or treat cryptosporidiosis in bovine calves was inconclusive. We undertook an updated synthesis and meta-analyses on key outcomes for the treatment of calves with HFG. Evaluated outcomes were oocyst shedding, diarrhoea, mortality and weight gain. Experiments had to describe results for same age animals in contemporary arms. Most doses were 100-150 mcg kg-1 day-1. Results were subgrouped by study design, experiments with the lowest risk of bias and lack of industry funding. Eighteen articles were found that described 25 experiments. Most evidence came from randomized controlled trials in Europe. Significantly lower incidence of oocyst shedding, diarrhoea burden and mortality was reported when treatment started before calves were 5 days old. Most studies reported on outcomes for animals up to at least 28 days old. Publication bias was possible in all outcomes and seemed especially likely for diarrhoea outcomes. Beneficial results when HFG treatment was initiated in calves older than 5 days were also found. Prophylactic treatment to prevent cryptosporidiosis is effective in preventing multiple negative outcomes and is beneficial to calf health and will result in a reduction of environmental contamination by Cryptosporidium oocysts.

Keywords: Bovine calves; cryptosporidiosis; dairy; diarrhoea; halofuginone.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Study selection procedure.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Oocyst shedding following early (prophylactic) treatment with halofuginone products.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Oocyst shedding following late treatment with halofuginone products.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Diarrhoea intensity following early (prophylactic) treatment with halofuginone products, subgroups by funder and risk of bias.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
Diarrhoea intensity following early (prophylactic) treatment with halofuginone products, subgroup by vaccination history of the dam.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 6.
Diarrhoea intensity following late treatment (at age 5 days+) with halofuginone products.
Fig. 7.
Fig. 7.
Mortality following early (mortality) treatment with halofuginone products.
Fig. 8.
Fig. 8.
Mortality following late (age 5 days+) treatment with halofuginone products.
Fig. 9.
Fig. 9.
Weight gain following early (prophylactic) treatment with halofuginone products.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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