Field trial of the efficacy of a combination of imidacloprid and permethrin against Tunga penetrans (sand flea, jigger flea) in dogs in Brazil

In a field trial in Brazil 17 dogs penetrated by females of the jigger flea, Tunga penetrans, were topically treated with a combination of 10% imidacloprid and 50% permethrin (Advantix), while 17 dogs remained untreated. The follow-up controls on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 post-treatment clearly showed that, beginning from day 7, the flea load in treated dogs decreased, so that most of the dogs became free of tungiasis lesions, while in the untreated group the flea load remained high. Since the dogs distribute the flea eggs throughout the village, leading to a high incidence of tungiasis in humans, treatment of dogs probably also decreases the number of cases of tungiasis in the latter.     

Efficacy of dinotefuran, permethrin and pyriproxyfen combination spot-on on dogs against Phlebotomus perniciosus and Ctenocephalides canis

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a new topical ectoparasiticidal spot-on containing 4.95 % dinotefuran (w/w), 36.08 % permethrin (w/w) and 0.44 % pyriproxyfen (w/w) (Vectra 3D?, Ceva, Libourne, France) against Portuguese strain of Phlebotomus perniciosus and a French strain of Ctenocephalides canis in dogs. Twelve beagle dogs were exposed for 1 h to 100 P. perniciosus on day 6 for allocation in two groups. One group was treated on day 0, and the other group was the control group. The dogs were exposed for 1 h to 100 P. perniciosus on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28. After each sandfly challenge, the same dogs were infested with 100 C. canis. Counts of living fleas were determined 48 h after infestation on days 4, 3, 9, 16, 23 and 30. For sandflies, the anti-feeding effect was 96.9, 99.7, 98.7, 83.5 and 87.0 % on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28, respectively. The mortality effect was 97.8, 99.8, 73.7, 27.5 and 39.6 % on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28, respectively. At each challenge point, the mortality and anti-feeding effects on sandflies were significantly different between the control and treatment groups (p?<?0.05). The adulticidal effect on C. canis remained above 99 % throughout the study period. The results indicate that a combination with dinotefuran, permethrin and pyriproxyfen may be used as an effective part of an overall flea and sandfly control strategy in dogs for monthly use.     

Comparative study on the effects of three insecticides (fipronil, imidacloprid, selamectin) on developmental stages of the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis Bouché 1835): a light and electron microscopic analysis of in vivo and in vitro experiments

The effects of three insecticides (fipronil, imidacloprid and selamectin) on developmental stages of cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) were studied in vivo, in vitro and by means of light and electron microscopy. The results were documented by video. Adult fleas were attached to the skin of dogs that had been treated 7 days before with one of the three compounds. Furthermore, adult fleas were exposed exclusively to the hair and skin debris of such treated dogs or were placed on filter papers that had been impregnated with one of these three compounds or with the blood of treated dogs. Larval fleas were exposed to hair of treated dogs, to debris obtained by combing treated dogs, to dried blood samples of treated dogs or were placed onto filter papers impregnated with one of the three compounds. In these experiments with adult and larval fleas, it was noted that none of the three insecticides had a repellent effect on adult or larval fleas. Imidacloprid was the only compound that acted exclusively by body contact, and was apparently taken up by adult and larval fleas via the thin, non-sclerotized intersegmental membranes of the flea's body, shown when flea stages were exposed to hairs taken from dogs treated with one of the compounds or placed onto drug-impregnated filter papers. Imidacloprid killed larvae and adult fleas within 1 h, while it took at least 24 h until all adult fleas had died on fipronil- or selamectin-treated dogs, thus allowing longer feeding periods, increasing the risk of transmission of flea-derived diseases. Flea larvae covered with debris from dogs topically treated 7 days before with fipronil, imidacloprid or selamectin died, like the untreated control, within 16–28 h after exposure. This was, however, probably mainly due to a drying effect. Adult and larval fleas exposed to filter papers impregnated with the blood of treated dogs survived longer than 7 days, as did the untreated controls. All three drugs apparently acted on nerves and muscles and thus stopped motility. Received: 7 October 2000 / Accepted: 18 October 2000     

Interrelationship among blood constituents, renal histopathology and ultrasonography in unilateral ureteral ligation of dogs

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of unilateral ureteral ligation on blood constituents, renal histopathology and ultrasonography in dogs. A total number of 25 apparently healthy adult mongrel dogs found Assiut City, Egypt, were subjected to study. Animals were divided into five equal groups: the left ureter was ligated for 2, 7, 14 and 21 days in groups, I, II, III and IV, respectively, while group V represented the control group. The animals in groups I, II, III and IV were euthanized on days 2, 7, 14 and 21, respectively. Right and left uretronephrectomies were performed and specimens were taken for the histopathological examination. Results revealed significant increases in total leucocytes and neutrophils counts from day 2 to day 17. There were significant decreases (p?<?0.01) in total red blood cell (RBC) count and packed cell volume (PCV)% at day 14. Creatinine level was significantly increased on days 7 and 17. Histopathological changes were varied from glomerular swelling and congestion to glomerular atrophy. In conclusion, serum creatinine was highest on days 3 and 7, while creatinine clearance was lowest at day 7. The serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was the highest at day 21. Major histopathological changes were observed on day 21. These changes were compatible with the ultrasonographic and biochemical findings.     

Environmental impact of ivermectin excreted by cattle treated in autumn on dung fauna and degradation of faeces on pasture

The effect of ivermectin excreted in faeces of treated cattle on dung fauna and dung degradation on pasture during autumn was evaluated. Two groups of calves were used. One group was treated subcutaneously with ivermectin while the other remained as untreated control. Faeces deposited on 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days post-treatment (dpt) were removed on 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 30 and 60 days post-deposition (dpd) and were used to determine the concentration of ivermectin and the percentage of organic matter and for the collection of colonising organisms. Samples from 1 and 3 dpt contained the highest drug concentration and percentage of organic matter compared to the control group (p<0.05). Faeces from the treated group showed lesser abundance and diversity of arthropods (p<0.05) than the control group. A reduction in numbers and diversity of dung fauna in faecal samples from treated animals was most remarkable at 1, 3 and 7 dpt, coinciding with the highest concentration of ivermectin and organic matter percentage.     

A comparison of enzyme activity mutation frequencies in germ cells of mice (Mus musculus) and golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) after exposure to 2 + 2 Gy gamma-irradiation

The radiation-induced germ cell mutation rate has been investigated in two species of mammals. Mice and golden hamsters of both sexes were exposed to 2 + 2 Gy gamma-irradiation with a 24 h fractionation interval and mated to untreated partners. In mice, specific locus mutations were examined as positive controls and the obtained mutation rates (per locus and gamete x10(-5)) were 51.4, 10.1, 13.6 and 17.4 for irradiated post-spermatogonia, spermatogonia and 1-7 and >7 days post-treatment oocytes, respectively. Offspring of mice and golden hamsters were screened for activity alterations of 10 erythrocyte enzymes coded by at least 14 loci. The observed mutation rates per locus per gamete x10(-5) for treated post-spermatogonial stages, spermatogonia and oocytes 1-7 and >7 days post-treatment were 6.5, 1.5, 8.8 and 7.0, respectively, for mice and 16.7, 0, 7.6 and 0, respectively, for golden hamsters. There is a significant difference for mutation rates in mouse oocytes 1-7 days post-treatment compared with the control. No differences in the frequencies of mutations in the various germ cell stages could be observed between mice and golden hamsters. A critical assumption for the extrapolation of experimental mutagenesis studies to humans is that no species effects exist in sensitivity to mutation induction by irradiation. Our results do not contradict this assumption.     

Effect of neonatal exposure to 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine on life span,estrus function and tumor development in rats — an argument in favor of the mutation theory of aging?

Outbred LIO rats were exposed to subcutaneous injections (3.2 mg) of a synthetic analogue of thymidine, 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd), on days 1 and 3, or days 1, 3, 7 and 21 of postnatal life. The mean life span decreased by 31% and 38% in male and by 14% and 27% in female rats that received 2 and 4 injections of BrdUrd, respectively, in comparison to untreated controls. The opening of the vagina was delayed, whereas age-related changes in the length of the estrous cycle and in the incidence of persistent estrus and/or anestrus were observed earlier in BrdUrd-injected female rats than in untreated ones. Inhibition of compensatory ovarian hypertrophy induced by hemiovariectomy at the age of 3 months was found in females exposed neonatally to BrdUrd as compared to untreated rats, while the uterus weight increase induced by the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin was similar in both control and BrdUrd-treated infantile rats. These data suggest that exposure to BrdUrd in early life impairs pituitary gonadotropic function in female rats. It was also shown that neonatal administration of BrdUrd to rats doubles the incidence of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes in comparison to controls and is followed by a dose-related increase in tumor incidence. Our observations on the decrease in mean and maximum life span, acceleration of age-related changes in reproductive system function, increase in chromosome aberration and tumor incidence and decrease in tumor latency in rats exposed to BrdUrd in early life suggest that this model could be used as a model of accelerated aging and that some of the results can be interpreted as arguments in favor of the mutation theory of aging.     

Efficacy and safety of imidacloprid 10% plus moxidectin 2.5% spot-on in the treatment of sarcoptic mange and otoacariosis in dogs: results af a European field study

Efficacy and safety of treatment with imidacloprid 10%+moiddectin 2.5% spot-on (Advocate, Advantage multi; Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany) were tested in dogs naturally infested with Sarcoptes scabiei or Otodectes cynotis in a multi-centre, controlled, randomized, blinded field study conducted in France, Germany, Albania and the UK. The study was performed according to a non-inferiority design to demonstrate that the efficacy of imidacloprid/moxidectin spot-on was not inferior to that of a control product containing selamectin (Stronghold spot-on; Pfizer). All Sarcoptes-infested dogs were topically treated twice (days 0 and 28) with the dosage recommended by the respective manufacturer (27 dogs with imidacloprid/moxidectin, 26 with selamectin). All Otodectes-infested dogs were treated on day 0 (35 dogs with imidacloprid/moxidectin, 34 with selamectin), and only those still positive on day 28 received a second treatment. Parasitological cure rate in Sarcoptes-infested dogs was 100% for both treatments, while parasitological cures rates in the Otodectes-infested dogs at day 28 and day 56 were 68.6 and 85.7% with imidacloprid/moxidectin, and 64.7 and 88.2% with Stronghold. Non-inferiority of Advocate was confirmed statistically. Clinical assessment of skin lesion scores at day 56 showed that with either product >96% of the dogs treated against sarcoptic mange were improved or cured, the difference between the groups being non-significant. On the basis of a final clinical assessment of lesion scores, 80% of the dogs treated with imidacloprid/moxidectin against otoacariosis and 85.3% of those treated with selamectin were rated cured or improved. Only three mild, possibly drug-related adverse reactions were observed among alI treated animals (two in the imidacloprid/moxidectin group, one in the selamectin group). It is concluded that imidacloprid/moxidectin spot-on is an effective and safe treatment for sarcoptic mange and otoacariosis in the dog.     

Wound-Healing and Potential Anti-Keloidal Properties of the Latex of Calotropis Procera (Aiton) Asclepiadaceae in Rabbits

Calotropis Procera (CP) has been used in the management of toothache, fresh skin burns, gum bleeding as well as others to make it qualify as a medicinal plant. This study was designed to assess its wound-healing property in rabbits and its potentials for anti keloidal activity.Fresh latex of Calotropis were obtained and evaluated phytochemically. Fifteen male rabbits were used and four excisional wounds were created on each rabbit. The rabbits were divided into five groups of three each. Group 1 was the negative control and received no treatment. The wounds of group 2 animals were treated with 2mL of Calotropis latex; group 3 with 2mL honey; and group 4 with a mixture of 1ml honey and 1 mL of the latex. The animals in group 5 were given 2mg triamcinolone intramuscularly. All the groups had their wounds treated daily for 21 days. The wounds'' diameters were measured on the day of wound creation, thereafter on days 7, 14 and 21 post wound creation. Biopsies of the wounds were taken on days 3 and 21 and viewed histologically. Phytochemical study of the latex revealed the presence of glycosides, tannins and alkaloids. The wounds were found to be significantly (p<0.05) reduced in groups treated with 50% latex in honey and triamcinolone, respectively, on day 7 post wound creation while there was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in wound surface area in all treated groups on days 14 and 21 post wound creation. Histological findings in untreated group showed thick bundle of collagen fibres some of which had broad based configurations, reminiscent of keloid. The group treated with 2mL of Calotropis latex revealed the presence of florid granulation tissues on day 3 while there was a marked reduction in quantity and size of collagen fibres on day 21 post wound creation which was comparable with what was seen for the triamcinolone-treated group.The general effect of Calotropis latex on wound-healing was noted. Likewise it''s similarity to that of triamcinolone, an anti-keloidal agent; this makes it a probable candidate for future anti-keloidal study using a suitable model.     

Evaluation of efficacy and tolerance of amodiaquine versus chloroquine in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria outbreak in children of Gabon]

We conducted a prospective study from September 1997 to January 1998 in Libreville (Gabon). Fifty-three (53) children with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were included and divided into two groups. The first group (27 patients) was treated with amodiaquine and the second (26 patients) with chloroquine. The efficacy and tolerance of amodiaquine 30 mg/kg base over 3 days (10 mg/kg daily) and chloroquine 25 mg/kg base over 3 days (10 mg/kg day 0, 10 mg/kg day 1, 5 mg/kg day 3) were estimated at days 7 and 14. Clinical examination and parasitaemia were assessed on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14. Haematological and biochemical parameters were determined on days 0 and 7. Amodiaquine was shown to be more effective than chloroquine in clinical response and ridding patients of parasites: adequate clinical response was significantly higher with amodiaquine than chloroquine [100% (27/27) versus 45% (9/20), p < 0.0005]. Rates for early treatment failure (ETF) and late treatment failure (LTF) were respectively 35% and 12% with chloroquine. The parasitological success rate was significantly higher with amodiaquine than chloroquine on days 7 [93% (25/27) versus 62% (13/21), p < 0.008] and 14 [100% (13/13) versus 44% (4/9), p < 0.01]. The RI resistance type was 7% in the amodiaquine group. The rate of in vivo chloroquino-resistance was 53%, essentially of RII and RIII type. Overall, the two drugs were well tolerated.     

Efficacy of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 1% (Advocate®/Advantage Multi™) against fleas (Ctenocephalides felis felis) on ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)

Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are becoming increasingly popular as pets and are kept in households with other pet animals such as dogs and cats, from which they may catch flea infestations with the predominant flea species Ctenocephalides felis. In this study, the efficacy of imidacloprid/moxidectin spot-on (Advocate/Advantage Multi) was investigated in the therapy and prevention of flea infestation in ferrets. Sixteen adult ferrets of varying weights and ages and of both sexes were included. Ferrets were infested with 50 fleas each on days -7, -1, 7, 14, 21, and 28. On study day -6, the animals were randomized into two groups based on body weight and flea count. Each ferret allocated to group 1 was treated with 0.4 ml of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 1% (Advocate/Advantage Multi). The ferrets in group 2 remained untreated. Flea counts were performed by combing 24 to 48 h after infestation. The primary efficacy criterion was the reduction in the number of fleas at each time point post treatment compared to the ferrets in the untreated control group. On day 1, the therapeutic efficacy was 100%. The preventative efficacy was 100% at 1 and 2 weeks post treatment, and it was >97% and >90% at 3 and 4 weeks post treatment. No local or systemic side effects were observed in any of the ferrets treated.     

Demographics of canine immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia in the Southeastern United States

Detailed examination of the records of 57 dogs referred to our clinic with the diagnosis of immunemediated haemolytic anaemia was accomplished. Only untreated dogs or dogs who had only received supportive therapy were included in the study group comprising 30 male dogs and 27 female dogs. Age distribution followed the general age distribution of our patient population. There was no within-breed sex or age predilection. The youngest dog was 11 months of age and the oldest dog was 13 years of age. Overall mortality rate among the study population was 51% (29 dogs). Certain canine breeds were over-represented in this study and these same breeds had high mortality rates. Included were 11 cocker spaniels (19%; 82% mortality rate, 9 of 11 dogs), nine dogs with terrier in their name (16%; 78% mortality rate, 7 of 9 dogs), six German shepherds (11%; 50% mortality rate, 3 of 6 dogs), five doberman pinschers (9%; 60% mortality rate, 3 of 5 dogs), and five miniature schnauzers (9%; 60% mortality rate, 3 of 5 dogs). Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia was considered secondary to hepatic disease in 16 dogs (28%), septicaemia in 10 dogs (18%) and neoplasia in six dogs (11%), i.e. signs and data supporting these processes were reported to have preceded anaemia. A total of 29 dogs (51%) also had thrombocytopenia (platelet counts less than 60000 cells/µl), eight (14%) dogs had major venous thrombosis, eight (14%) dogs had associated disseminated intravascular coagulation, and 24 (42%) of the dogs had evidence of renal disease — proteinuria and cylinduria. About 35% (20 dogs) of the patients were treated from June to August, and 63% (36 dogs) of the patients were direct antiglobulin positive (immunoglobulin G with or without complement). A variety of red cell morphological changes were observed including stomatocytes, bowl forms, knizocytes, schistocytes and spherocytes. Spherocytes were observed in 11 dogs (19%). Absolute reticulocytosis was observed in 26 dogs (46%). A variety of treatment combinations including glucocorticoids, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, anabolic steroids, heparin, intravenous human gamma globulin, and blood component therapy were used without identifiable success associated with any given protocol.     

Knockdown and repellent effect of permethrin-impregnated army uniform cloth against Aedes aegypti after different cycles of washings

Personnel protection is one of the methods for protection from bites of mosquitoes and other arthropod vectors transmitting many dreadful diseases. Insect repellents and other plant products are normally used to ward off mosquitoes. Application of synthetic pyrethroid permethrin on cloth is adopted for repelling arthropod vectors in many countries for military and civil purposes. In the present study, attempt has been made to impregnate permethrin in the army uniform cloth and to evaluate for its knockdown and repellency against unfed female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in laboratory condition. WHO protocols were adopted for impregnation of permethrin on cloth and evaluation for its knockdown and repellency after different cycles of washing. Results showed that 93.33 % of mosquitoes were knocked down within 1 h after the first washing while its efficacy reduced gradually till the fifty-fifth washing. Landing of mosquitoes on the permethrin-treated cloth was found to increase with respect to number of washings as compared to the untreated cloth. Within 24 h, 100 % mortality of all the mosquitoes exposed to permethrin-impregnated cloth was observed. SEM-EDX studies on the texture of untreated cloth and permethrin-treated cloth after different cycles of washing also revealed presence of permethrin on treated cloth.     

Treatment of Naturally Occurring, Asymptomatic Giardia sp. in Dogs with Drontal? Plus Flavour Tablets

The administration of three consecutive daily doses of the recommended 1x dose of Drontal? Plus flavour tablets (Bayer) was examined for its effect on Giardia sp. cyst-shedding in 7 treated and 7 untreated random-source dogs. Dogs were treated on study days 0, 1 and 2. Cysts were quantified using direct immunofluorescent labelling on days –7, –5, –3 and –2, and daily from day 1 through 11. Three treated dogs never shed cysts again during the study, one shed again only on day 4, and the remaining three dogs started to shed again on days 8, 9 and 11. The mean numbers of cysts per gramme in the faeces of the treated dogs were significantly reduced (t-tests using log₁₀(counts)) on days 1 and 2 (geometric means: controls = 447,000; treated = 1,050; p = 0.004) and days 3 to 8 (geometric means: controls = 23,400; treated 5.0; p < 0.001). Four controls that had been consistently positive, changed to negative status on day 11, and thus, on the final day of the trial, there were only three positive control and three positive treated dogs. Three consecutive days of treatment with Drontal? Plus flavour tablets halted Giardia sp. cyst shedding by dogs. But starting six days post third treatment, some of the dogs started shedding cysts again. Since the prepatent period of Giardia sp. can be as short as 4 days, shedding of Giardia sp. cysts 6 days after treatment could be caused by a reinfection.     

A combination of methylprednisolone and quercetin is effective for the treatment of cardiac contusion following blunt chest trauma in rats

Cardiac contusion is a potentially fatal complication of blunt chest trauma. The effects of a combination of quercetin and methylprednisolone against trauma-induced cardiac contusion were studied. Thirty-five female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n=7) as follows: sham, cardiac contusion with no therapy, treated with methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg on the first day, and 3 mg/kg on the following days), treated with quercetin (50 mg·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹), and treated with a combination of methylprednisolone and quercetin. Serum troponin I (Tn-I) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels and cardiac histopathological findings were evaluated. Tn-I and TNF-α levels were elevated after contusion (P=0.001 and P=0.001). Seven days later, Tn-I and TNF-α levels decreased in the rats treated with methylprednisolone, quercetin, and the combination of methylprednisolone and quercetin compared to the rats without therapy, but a statistical significance was found only with the combination therapy (P=0.001 and P=0.011, respectively). Histopathological degeneration and necrosis scores were statistically lower in the methylprednisolone and quercetin combination group compared to the group treated only with methylprednisolone (P=0.017 and P=0.007, respectively). However, only degeneration scores were lower in the combination therapy group compared to the group treated only with quercetin (P=0.017). Inducible nitric oxide synthase positivity scores were decreased in all treatment groups compared to the untreated groups (P=0.097, P=0.026, and P=0.004, respectively). We conclude that a combination of quercetin and methylprednisolone can be used for the specific treatment of cardiac contusion.     

Increases in severity of lung damage and mortality by treatment with cyclo and lipoxygenase inhibitors in bleomycin and hyperoxia model of lung injury in hamsters

Effects of ibuprofen (I), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a lipoxygenase inhibitor, on bleomycin (B) and hyperoxia (H) induced acute lung damage and mortality were studied in hamsters. Hamsters, after receiving bleomycin, 0.25 unit, intratracheally were treated subcutaneously with vehicle (BHV group), ibuprofen, 10 mg/kg, (BHI group) or NDGA 10 mg/kg (BHNDGA group) and then exposed to 70% oxygen (O2) for 72 h. Daily treatment in each case continued for 14 days. The cumulative mortality at 0, 2, 4, 7, and 14 days after O2 exposure was as follows: 0, 5, 13, 26, and 50%, in BHV; 0, 10, 21, 33, and 67% in BHI; and 2, 21, 51, 71, and 92% in BHNDGA groups, respectively. The lung hydroxyproline content in pooled control hamsters averaged 721.1 +/- 22.3 (SE) micrograms/lung. The lung hydroxyproline content in animals in BHV, BHI, and BHNDGA groups was significantly increased at 4, 7, and 14 days after exposure when compared to controls. There were, however, no significant differences in the hydroxyproline content of the lungs among animals in BHV, BHI, and BHNDGA groups at any post-exposure time. Morphology of lungs of the BHV group showed an infiltrate of monocytes, lymphocytes, and some neutrophils (PMN) at 2 days but was composed primarily of monocytes and macrophages at 4, 7, and 14 days post-exposure. Multifocal fibrosis was observed at 7 days and was more diffuse by 14 days. Multifocal fibrosis in lungs from the BHI group was seen at 4 days with foci being larger at 7 and 14 days. Multifocal epithelial necrosis was observed at 14 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sindbis virus infection alters blood feeding responses and DEET repellency in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) female mosquitoes infected systemically with Sindbis virus (SINV) took longer than uninfected mosquitoes to locate and fully engorge on blood. On days 7 and 14 postexposure, blood feeding took 1.3 and 1.5 times longer in mosquitoes with a disseminated SINV infection, respectively. SINV dissemination did not affect the average weight of unfed Ae. aegypti, but did result in a 10 and 12% increase in blood imbibed compared with mosquitoes without a positive SINV dissemination and non-SINV-exposed mosquitoes, respectively. Ae. aegypti mosquitoes with a disseminated SINV infection fed an average of 4 h sooner than uninfected mosquitoes when offered a bloodmeal contained inside a DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) saturated (30%) bovine sausage casing. Together, these results indicate that behavioral changes in mosquito host-seeking, blood feeding and sensitivity to DEET occurred in mosquitoes after SINV infection and dissemination.     

Comparative efficacy of two fipronil spot-on formulations against experimental tick infestations (Ixodes ricinus) in dogs

A parallel-group-design, randomized, unicentre and blinded controlled study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of a new fipronil-based spot-on formulation applied once to dogs against experimental Ixodes ricinus infestations. Six dogs served as negative controls (group 1), six dogs served as positive controls (group 2) receiving the original fipronil spot-on (Frontline® spot-on Dog, Merial) at a dosage of 0.67 mL for a dog weighing from 2 to 10 kg and 1.34 mL for a dog weighing from 10.1 to 20 kg and six dogs were treated with a 10% w/v fipronil-based spot-on solution (Effipro® Spot-on, Virbac SA) at an identical dosage (group 3, 0.67 mL for a dog weighing from 2 to 10 kg and 1.34 mL for a dog weighing from 10.1 to 20 kg). Each dog was sedated and subsequently infested with 50 unfed adult I. ricinus on days??7, ?2, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. Forty-eight hours after the treatment and 48 h after each challenge (days ?5, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and 37), the population of the remaining ticks was assessed for each animal. Geometric mean tick counts obtained were reduced by 99% and 94% on day?2 in groups 2 and 3, respectively, compared to the negative control group. Dogs were protected from re-infestations with an efficacy of >90% for 3 weeks in group 2 and for 5 weeks in group 3. Both 10% w/v fipronil-based spot-on solutions, despite different vehicles, were equally able to eradicate tick infestation, to prevent new infestations and were equally well tolerated.     

Efficacy of Drontal® Flavour Plus (50 mg praziquantel, 144 mg pyrantel embonate, 150 mg febantel per tablet) against Giardia sp in naturally infected dogs

The therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel, pyrantel embonate and febantel (Drontal Flavour Plus) for three and five consecutive days was evaluated for treating naturally acquired giardiasis in dogs. In the study, 24 dogs naturally infected with Giardia were divided into three groups of eight dogs each. Dogs were treated at the recommended dosage for three or five consecutive days, and a control group remained untreated. Faecal samples from each dog were submitted to coprological examination from day-4 to -2 and at days 5, 7, 9 and 11. Faecal consistency was also assessed daily to study end. All dogs in the control group remained positive until study end. Giardia cysts were not detected in faeces of six of the eight dogs in the group treated on three consecutive days, and in faeces of five of the dogs in the group treated on five consecutive days. Unformed to diarrhoeic faeces were more often reported in dogs in the untreated control group than in dogs in both treatment groups. Efficacy of treatment for five consecutive days was not statistically better than treatment for three consecutive days.