Safety Evaluation of Levofloxacin Following Repeated Oral Administration on Liver in Dual Purpose Chicken

The study was conducted in 30 to 40 day old healthy dual purpose chicken Indian Rock -3 (IR-3), a strain of White Plymouth Rock The safety evaluation of levofloxacin following the repeated oral administration was conducted in dual purpose chicken. The experimental birds were administered with levofloxacin at the dose rate of 10 mg/kg bw and 20mg/kg bw respectively directly for 28 days in dual purpose chicken. The estimation of serum biochemical parameters and histopathological findings of liver were conducted. There was a significant increase (p< 0.05) in AST, ALT and Alkaline Phosphatase' values in Groups III on day 21 and 28 in the experimental birds as compared to control group. Microscopically in Group II and Group III of experimental birds, section of liver showed mild dilatation of sinusoids with focal infiltration of mono nuclear inflammatory cells, vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes, congestion of central vein, mild periportal proliferation and infiltration of mononuclear cells in the parenchyma. The birds were observed for clinical signs of toxicity, which were supported by increase in serum biochemical parameters and histopathological changes in the liver of dual purpose chicken. This is suggestive of administration of high dose of levofloxacin causes toxicity in dual purpose chicken.