Tylosin is sulfamethoxazole, the antibiotic active ingredient is an antimicrobial that acts as an antifungal and an antibacterial agent. It is mainly used in the treatment of septic arthritis in cats and dogs. It is also a bacteriostat and macrolide antibiotic used in veterinary medicine. It has a very wide spectrum of action against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and a quite limited scope of action against gram-positive and -negative aerobic bacteria. It is produced naturally by Streptomyces flora as a fermented product.
The clinical significance of this product lies in the fact that it is an extremely potent source of anti-inflammatory agents, particularly those with a cytoplasmic effect. This means that it can act at the level of the bacteria or fungi, which are acting on the tissues or organs. It is particularly useful as an antifungal agent in skin infections, as it is effective against most of the fungal species that infect humans. It also has an effect against infectious mononucleosis, shingles, and multiple sclerosis. It has recently become popular as an intravenous prebiotic, which is indicated for people with an increased risk of infection following surgery or trauma or those who have a compromised immune system.
It is absorbed through the intestinal lining. Moreover, it combines with other molecules in the bloodstream and moves to the blood cells through diffusion. Tylosin thus combines a powerful broad spectrum of antibacterial and antifungal agents with several effects at the level of the microorganisms and their derivatives. This explains why this as an intravenous prebiotic is increasingly used to treat patients suffering from infections like Staphylococcus aureus, Candida, Helicobacter pylori, and HIV, as well as those with HIV, who are at a higher risk of developing opportunistic infections.