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Fisara P, Guerino F. Year-round efficacy of a single treatment of fluralaner injectable suspension (Bravecto Quantum™) against repeated infestations with Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) and Ctenocephalides felis in dogs. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:378. [PMID: 37872632 PMCID: PMC10594708 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05960-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor owner compliance with monthly control measures means that dogs in Australia can remain susceptible to infestations with fleas, present throughout the whole year, and brown dog ticks, which thrive in tropical and subtropical areas. A 150 mg/ml injectable fluralaner suspension (Bravecto Quantum™) was developed to help ensure year-round protection against these parasites. A study investigated the persistent efficacy of this formulation against repeated challenges with Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) and Ctenocephalides felis throughout 12 months following a single subcutaneous treatment. METHODS Twenty dogs were blocked by pre-treatment R. sanguineus s.l. counts and randomized to an untreated control group or to a group treated once, on day 0, with the fluralaner injection (15 mg/kg). Infestations of 50 mixed-sex, unfed adult R. sanguineus s.l. and up to 100 C. felis were done on days 7, 14, 35, 63, 91, 126, 154, 182, 210, 245, 273, 301, 336 and 365. Live flea and tick counts were completed 48 h post-infestation. Flea infestations were also done on day -1, with counts on day 2. Infestations were considered adequate if at each evaluation, at least six dogs in the control group retained at least 20% of tick challenges and 25% of flea challenges. RESULTS The fluralaner injectable suspension was well tolerated. Efficacy against existing flea infestations was > 99% (arithmetic and geometric means) at 48 h post-treatment. At all subsequent assessments throughout the year following treatment, efficacy against fleas remained at 100%. Arithmetic mean tick count reductions relative to the control group ranged from 97.6% to 100% from day 7 through 11 months and was 92.6% at 12 months (geometric means 95.2% to 100% through 12 months). CONCLUSION The injectable fluralaner suspension was effective against fleas and brown dog ticks for 12 months following a single treatment. Compared with more frequently administered products where compliance may be suboptimal, the year-round efficacy of this veterinarian-administered fluralaner formulation has the potential to improve owner compliance for control of fleas and ticks. In turn, by reducing the detrimental effects of flea and tick infestations and risk of transmission of flea- and tick-borne pathogens, canine health can be enhanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Fisara
- Animal Health, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2113, Australia.
| | - Frank Guerino
- Merck Animal Health, 126 E. Lincoln Avenue, Rahway, NJ, 07065, USA
- Merck Animal Health, 126 E. Lincoln Avenue, Rahway, NJ, 07940, USA
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Allen K, Little S, Petersen M, Gruntmeir J, Barrett A, Herrin B, Starkey L, Sun F, Guerino F. Evaluation of oral fluralaner (Bravecto ®) for efficacy against nymphs of Amblyomma americanum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato). Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:315. [PMID: 32552774 PMCID: PMC7302130 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04179-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amblyomma americanum and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) nymphs commonly feed on and transmit pathogens to dogs (Canis familiaris). Control of immature and adult tick life stages is necessary to fully protect animals. We evaluated efficacy of oral fluralaner (Bravecto®) against induced infestations with A. americanum and R. sanguineus (s.l.) nymphs on dogs in two experiments. METHODS In each experiment, 10 dogs were administered oral fluralaner chewable tablets one time on Day 0 at a targeted minimum dose of 25 mg/kg body weight and 10 dogs remained non-treated controls. Dogs were infested with two groups of 50 A. americanum nymphs and two groups of 50 R. sanguineus (s.l.) nymphs on Days -1, 6, 28, 56 and 84. At 48 h and 72 h post-infestation, nymphs were collected from dogs, assessed as live or dead, and enumerated into categories defining attachment and engorgement status. Fluralaner efficacy was determined in separate analyses against all live nymphs and against live-fed nymphs, i.e. live nymphs that were attached to dogs at the time of collection and/or were engorged. Fluralaner was considered effective when mean numbers of live ticks were reduced in fluralaner-treated dogs by ≥ 90%. RESULTS Fluralaner efficacy against all live and live-fed A. americanum nymphs in the first experiment was > 94% on all collection days. Efficacy against all live R. sanguineus (s.l.) nymphs in the first experiment was > 96% on all collection days excluding the 48 h counts for infestations on Days 28 (83.7%), 56 (82.9%) and 84 (86.7%); efficacy against live-fed R. sanguineus (s.l.) nymphs was > 95% on all 48 h/72 h count days. Fluralaner efficacy against all live A. americanum nymphs in the second experiment was > 93% on all collection days for 8 weeks excluding the 48 h count for infestation on Day 56 (87.8%); efficacy against live-fed A. americanum nymphs was > 91% on all count days for 8 weeks. Efficacy against all live R. sanguineus (s.l.) nymphs in the second experiment was > 91% on all 72 h collection days except for infestations on Days 28 (76.8%) and 56 (86.3%); efficacy against live-fed R. sanguineus (s.l.) nymphs was 100% on all 72 h count days. CONCLUSIONS A single administration of oral fluralaner to dogs is effective against A. americanum and R. sanguineus (s.l.) nymphs for up to 12 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Allen
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078 USA
| | - Susan Little
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Oklahoma State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078 USA
| | | | - Jeff Gruntmeir
- Department of Comparative Diagnostics and Population Medicine, University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32611 USA
| | - Anne Barrett
- Merck Animal Health, Madison, New Jersey 07940 USA
| | - Brian Herrin
- Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, Kansas 66506 USA
| | - Lindsay Starkey
- Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, Alabama 36849 USA
| | - Fangshi Sun
- Merck Animal Health, Madison, New Jersey 07940 USA
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Galay RL, Manalo AAL, Dolores SLD, Aguilar IPM, Sandalo KAC, Cruz KB, Divina BP, Andoh M, Masatani T, Tanaka T. Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in canine population and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) ticks from southern Metro Manila and Laguna, Philippines. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:643. [PMID: 30558678 PMCID: PMC6296069 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3192-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The tropical climate of the Philippines and the high population of dogs, particularly in cities, favors the life-cycle of the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato), a vector of several canine tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) including zoonotic Rickettsia spp. Suspected cases of infections are commonly encountered in veterinary clinics, but the specific TBPs are rarely identified. Furthermore, infection with Rickettsia is not being clinically examined in dogs. In this study, the occurrence of TBPs in blood and ticks collected from household and impounded dogs in highly populated areas of the Philippines, Metro Manila, and the nearby province of Laguna, was examined. Results A total of 248 blood samples and 157 tick samples were subjected to PCR. First, samples were screened using primers for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. and Babesia/Hepatozoon spp. Those that turned positive were further subjected to species-specific PCR. Rickettsia spp. were also detected through a nested PCR. Of the 248 blood samples, 56 (22.6%) were positive for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., while 19 (7.6%) were positive for Babesia/Hepatozoon spp. Species-specific PCR revealed that 61 (23.4%) had a single TBP, with Ehrlichia canis being detected in 39 (15.7%) dogs, while 14 (5.6%) dogs were positive for different combinations of two to four TBPs. Rickettsia infection was detected in 6 (2.4%) dogs. In tick samples, 8 (3.2%) were positive for Ehrlichia/Anaplasma spp., while only 1 (0.63%) was positive for Babesia/Hepatozoon spp. As in the blood samples, E. canis was the most detected, being found in 5 (2%) samples. No tick samples tested positive for Rickettsia spp. Conclusion Ehrlichia canis is the most common TBP affecting dogs in the Philippines. Co-infection with TBPs is quite common, hence testing for multiple TBPs is necessary. Through nested PCR, Rickettsia infection was detected in dogs, and to the authors’ knowledge, this study provides the first molecular evidence of Rickettsia infection in dogs in the Philippines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remil L Galay
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Anna Angelica L Manalo
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Sidney Lyndon D Dolores
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Irene Pearl M Aguilar
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Kristina Andrea C Sandalo
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Kathlyn B Cruz
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cagayan State University, Carig, 3500, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, Philippines
| | - Billy P Divina
- Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Masako Andoh
- Laboratory of Public Health, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Masatani
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Research Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Tanaka
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan.
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Dantas-Torres F, da Silva YY, de Oliveira Miranda DE, da Silva Sales KG, Figueredo LA, Otranto D. Ehrlichia spp. infection in rural dogs from remote indigenous villages in north-eastern Brazil. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:139. [PMID: 29554954 PMCID: PMC5859461 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2738-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ehrlichia canis is a tick-borne bacterium that causes severe, life-threatening disease in dogs, being more prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries. Randomized studies conducted in Brazil indicate that the prevalence of E. canis infection in dogs ranges from 0.7% to over 50.0%. In a study conducted in northern Brazil, the prevalence was higher in dogs from urban areas, as compared to dogs from rural areas. In the present study, we investigated the exposure to Ehrlichia spp. infection in dogs from remote indigenous villages located in a rural area in north-eastern Brazil. Methods From March to June 2015, 300 privately owned dogs were blood sampled and tested by a rapid ELISA and by a conventional PCR in order to detect anti-Ehrlichia spp. antibodies and E. canis DNA, respectively. Additionally, dogs were also tested for anti-Anaplasma spp. antibodies and Anaplasma platys DNA, using the same diagnostic approaches. Positivity was correlated with tick infestation and dogs’ data (gender, age and level of restriction). Results Overall, 212 (70.7%) dogs were positive for at least one test targeting Ehrlichia spp. In particular, 173 (57.7%) dogs were positive only by rapid ELISA, 5 (1.7%) only by PCR and 34 (11.4%) were simultaneously positive by both tests. In the same way, 39 (13.0%) dogs presented detectable E. canis DNA in their blood, whereas 18 (6.0%) dogs were A. platys DNA-positive. Coupling serological and PCR data, 63 (21.0%) dogs were simultaneously positive to Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. Positivity rates for both Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. were higher among dogs more than 1 year of age. Sick dogs were more positive to Ehrlichia spp. as compared to healthy dogs. Conclusions Dogs from rural areas in north-eastern Brazil are highly exposed to Ehrlichia spp. infection and positivity rates do not necessarily correlate with current tick infestation load, since only one infected tick bite is needed to get the infection. This reinforces the importance of keeping dogs free of ticks, in order to reduce as much as possible the risk of infection by E. canis and other tick-borne pathogens such as Babesia vogeli, which are usually co-endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil. .,Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy.
| | - Yury Yzabella da Silva
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil
| | | | | | - Luciana Aguiar Figueredo
- Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
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