Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (769 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A tetracycline analog isolated from the actinomycete streptomyces rimosus and used in a wide variety of clinical conditions.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Hydroxytetracycline; Oxytetracycline Calcium; Terramycin; Oxytetracycline, (4a beta,5 beta,5a beta,12a beta)-Isomer; Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride; Oxytetracycline, (5 beta)-Isomer; Oxytetracycline, Disodium Salt, Dihydrate; Oxytetracycline Sulfate (2:1).
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Tetracyclines
Related concepts
- Tetracycline
- Streptomyces Rimosus
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 7,202 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Oxytetracycline” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 841 of them (11.7%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 5,230 records.
Reviews account for 85 records (1.2%) and meta-analyses for 2. Randomized controlled trials number 139 (1.9%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 5,230 |
| 2000-2009 | 460 |
| 2010-2019 | 671 |
| 2020 onward | 841 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 85 | 1.2% |
| Meta-analyses | 2 | 0.0% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 139 | 1.9% |
Method: PubMed query "Oxytetracycline"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in drugs and chemicals
Studies of a chemical or drug can answer very different questions: what it is and how it behaves in cells and animals, how the body handles it, and whether it changes outcomes in people. Laboratory and animal findings often do not carry over to patients, and observational studies of exposures are confounded by who uses a substance and why. Nothing on this page is a recommendation to use, avoid, start or stop any substance or medicine; talk to a qualified clinician or pharmacist about your own situation. Check the dose, the species, the comparison group and whether a patient-relevant outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
Assessment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Symptoms and Gut-Liver Axis Status in Zebrafish after Exposure to Polystyrene Microplastics and Oxytetracycline, Alone and in Combination [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundEnvironmental pollution may give rise to the incidence and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common cause for chronic severe liver lesions.
- Closing excerpt
- 1289/EHP11600.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (297 words)
BackgroundEnvironmental pollution may give rise to the incidence and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common cause for chronic severe liver lesions. Although knowledge of NAFLD pathogenesis is particularly important for the development of effective prevention, the relationship between NAFLD occurrence and exposure to emerging pollutants, such as microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic residues, awaits assessment.ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of MPs and antibiotic residues related to NAFLD occurrence using the zebrafish model species.MethodsTaking common polystyrene MPs and oxytetracycline (OTC) as representatives, typical NAFLD symptoms, including lipid accumulation, liver inflammation, and hepatic oxidative stress, were screened after 28-d exposure to environmentally realistic concentrations of MPs (0.69mg/L) and antibiotic residue (3.00μg/L). The impacts of MPs and OTC on gut health, the gut-liver axis, and hepatic lipid metabolism were also investigated to reveal potential affecting mechanisms underpinning the NAFLD symptoms observed.ResultsCompared with the control fish, zebrafish exposed to MPs and OTC exhibited significantly higher levels of lipid accumulation, triglycerides, and cholesterol contents, as well as inflammation, in conjunction with oxidative stress in their livers. In addition, a markedly smaller proportion of Proteobacteria and higher ratios of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes were detected by microbiome analysis of gut contents in treated samples. After the exposures, the zebrafish also experienced intestinal oxidative injury and yielded significantly fewer numbers of goblet cells. Markedly higher levels of the intestinal bacteria-sourced endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were also detected in serum. Animals treated with MPs and OTC exhibited higher expression levels of LPS binding receptor (LBP) and downstream inflammation-related genes while also exhibiting lower activity and gene expression of lipase. Furthermore, MP-OTC coexposure generally exerted more severe effects compared with single MP or OTC exposure.DiscussionOur results suggested that exposure to MPs and OTC may disrupt the gut-liver axis and be associated with NAFLD occurrence. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11600.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc0 licence; © the authors. PMID 37027337 · DOI · PMC10081693
Lactobacillus spp. attenuate antibiotic-induced immune and microbiota dysregulation in honey bees [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Widespread antibiotic usage in apiculture contributes substantially to the global dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and has the potential to negatively influence bacterial symbionts of honey bees (Apis mellifera).
- Closing excerpt
- We conclude that microbial-based therapeutics may offer a simple but effective solution to reduce honey bee disease burden, environmental xenobiotic exposure, and spread of antimicrobial resistance.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (165 words)
Widespread antibiotic usage in apiculture contributes substantially to the global dissemination of antimicrobial resistance and has the potential to negatively influence bacterial symbionts of honey bees (Apis mellifera). Here, we show that routine antibiotic administration with oxytetracycline selectively increased tetB (efflux pump resistance gene) abundance in the gut microbiota of adult workers while concurrently depleting several key symbionts known to regulate immune function and nutrient metabolism such as Frischella perrera and Lactobacillus Firm-5 strains. These microbial changes were functionally characterized by decreased capped brood counts (marker of hive nutritional status and productivity) and reduced antimicrobial capacity of adult hemolymph (indicator of immune competence). Importantly, combination therapy with three immunostimulatory Lactobacillus strains could mitigate antibiotic-associated microbiota dysbiosis and immune deficits in adult workers, as well as maximize the intended benefit of oxytetracycline by suppressing larval pathogen loads to near-undetectable levels. We conclude that microbial-based therapeutics may offer a simple but effective solution to reduce honey bee disease burden, environmental xenobiotic exposure, and spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 32978472 · DOI · PMC7519052
A worm's best friend: recruitment of neutrophils by Wolbachia confounds eosinophil degranulation against the filarial nematode Onchocerca ochengi [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Onchocerca ochengi, a filarial parasite of cattle, represents the closest relative of the human pathogen, Onchocerca volvulus.
- Closing excerpt
- ochengi through a defensive mutualism, which diverts a potentially lethal effector cell response.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (200 words)
Onchocerca ochengi, a filarial parasite of cattle, represents the closest relative of the human pathogen, Onchocerca volvulus. Both species harbour Wolbachia endosymbionts and are remarkable in that adult female worms remain viable but sessile for many years while surrounded by host cells and antibodies. The basis of the symbiosis between filariae and Wolbachia is thought to be metabolic, although a role for Wolbachia in immune evasion has received little attention. Neutrophils are attracted to Wolbachia, but following antibiotic chemotherapy they are replaced by eosinophils that degranulate on the worm cuticle. However, it is unclear whether the eosinophils are involved in parasite killing or if they are attracted secondarily to dying worms. In this study, cattle infected with Onchocerca ochengi received adulticidal regimens of oxytetracycline or melarsomine. In contrast to oxytetracycline, melarsomine did not directly affect Wolbachia viability. Eosinophil degranulation increased significantly only in the oxytetracycline group; whereas nodular gene expression of bovine neutrophilic chemokines was lowest in this group. Moreover, intense eosinophil degranulation was initially associated with worm vitality, not degeneration. Taken together, these data offer strong support for the hypothesis that Wolbachia confers longevity on O. ochengi through a defensive mutualism, which diverts a potentially lethal effector cell response.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 21177682 · DOI · PMC3119012
Oxytetracycline as an otolith chemical marker in Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus): Technical feasibility in culture [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Reliable discrimination between wild and cultured fish is essential for traceability in aquaculture.
- Closing excerpt
- These preliminary results indicate that intramuscular OTC injection is technically feasible as an otolith-marking method in juveniles of this species.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (107 words)
Reliable discrimination between wild and cultured fish is essential for traceability in aquaculture. This study reports the first successful application of intramuscular oxytetracycline (OTC) injection for otolith marking in juveniles of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). Fifteen individuals (initial weight ≈ 100 g) were injected with either 100 mg kg-1 (n = 8) or 200 mg kg-1 (n = 7) OTC. All otoliths examined exhibited clear and persistent fluorescent bands under ultraviolet light, from 24 h up to 98 days post-injection, with no significant differences between concentrations. These preliminary results indicate that intramuscular OTC injection is technically feasible as an otolith-marking method in juveniles of this species.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42216565 · DOI · PMC13521687
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Update on acquired tetracycline resistance genes [5]
- Research article Genetics of Streptomyces rimosus, the oxytetracycline producer [6]
- Research article Oxytetracycline biosynthesis [7]
- Research article Tetracyclines contamination in European aquatic environments: A comprehensive review of occurrence, fate, and removal techniques [8]
- Research article Veterinary pharmaceutical as emerging contaminants in wastewater and surface water: An overview [9]
- Research article Support vector regression for determination of component of compound oxytetracycline powder on near-infrared spectroscopy [10]
References
- Zhou W, Shi W, Du X, Han Y, Tang Y, Ri S, et al.. Assessment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Symptoms and Gut-Liver Axis Status in Zebrafish after Exposure to Polystyrene Microplastics and Oxytetracycline, Alone and in Combination. . 2023. PMID 37027337 · DOI · PMC10081693
- Daisley BA, Pitek AP, Chmiel JA, Gibbons S, Chernyshova AM, Al KF, et al.. Lactobacillus spp. attenuate antibiotic-induced immune and microbiota dysregulation in honey bees. . 2020. PMID 32978472 · DOI · PMC7519052
- Hansen RD, Trees AJ, Bah GS, Hetzel U, Martin C, Bain O, et al.. A worm's best friend: recruitment of neutrophils by Wolbachia confounds eosinophil degranulation against the filarial nematode Onchocerca ochengi. . 2011. PMID 21177682 · DOI · PMC3119012
- Salvat-Leal I, Ortega A, Romero D, Blanco E. Oxytetracycline as an otolith chemical marker in Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus): Technical feasibility in culture. . 2026. PMID 42216565 · DOI · PMC13521687
- Roberts MC. Update on acquired tetracycline resistance genes. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2005. PMID 15837373 · DOI
- Petković H, Cullum J, Hranueli D, Hunter IS, Perić-Concha N, Pigac J, et al.. Genetics of Streptomyces rimosus, the oxytetracycline producer. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev. 2006. PMID 16959966 · DOI · PMC1594589
- Pickens LB, Tang Y. Oxytetracycline biosynthesis. J Biol Chem. 2010. PMID 20522541 · DOI · PMC2934616
- Antos J, Piosik M, Ginter-Kramarczyk D, Zembrzuska J, Kruszelnicka I. Tetracyclines contamination in European aquatic environments: A comprehensive review of occurrence, fate, and removal techniques. Chemosphere. 2024. PMID 38401860 · DOI
- Delgado N, Orozco J, Zambrano S, Casas-Zapata JC, Marino D. Veterinary pharmaceutical as emerging contaminants in wastewater and surface water: An overview. J Hazard Mater. 2023. PMID 37688873 · DOI
- Zou T, Dou Y, Mi H, Zou J, Ren Y. Support vector regression for determination of component of compound oxytetracycline powder on near-infrared spectroscopy. Anal Biochem. 2006. PMID 16723110 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.