Chemotherapy of experimental Besnoitia besnoiti infection in rabbits.

Rabbits were infected with a bovine strain of Besnoitia besnoiti parasites derived from VERO cell cultures. Oxytetracycline, given at 30 mg/kg i.m. simultaneously with infection, prevented the development of orchitis. The controls received no treatment. All infected animals showed a transient febrile reaction. It is concluded that oxytetracycline has some therapeutic potential against Besnoitia besnoiti and that rabbits are suitable models for therapeutic trials.