A novel combination of fipronil and permethrin (Frontline Tri-Act®/Frontect®) reduces risk of transmission of Babesia canis by Dermacentor reticulatus and of Ehrlichia canis by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks to dogs. Issue 1 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jongejan, Frans; de Vos, Christa; Fourie, Josephus; Beugnet, Frederic
• Is Part Of: Parasites & vectors. Volume 8:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Babesia canis -- Ehrlichia canis -- Dermacentor reticulatus -- Rhipicephalus sanguineus -- Fipronil -- Permethrin -- Transmission blocking studies; Parasitism -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Vector-pathogen relationships -- Periodicals; Animals as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.96
• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1207-5
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-3305

Abstract

Abstract Background The ability of Frontline Tri-Act®/Frontect®, a topical ectoparasiticide containing fipronil and permethrin for dogs, to prevent the transmission ofBabesia canis as well asEhrlichia canis was evaluated by infesting dogs with infected vector ticks. Methods For theBabesia canis study, 16 dogs were randomly allocated to two groups. Eight dogs were treated on day 0 with a topical spot-on formulation containing 6.76 % w/v fipronil plus 50.48 % w/v permethrin and eight dogs served as the untreated control group.Dermacentor reticulatus ticks, with aB. canis infection rate ranging between 2 and 10 %, were placed onto dogs on days 7, 14, 21 and 28.In situ tick counts were performed on Days 9, 16 and 23. Ticks were counted and removed on Day 30. Infection of the dogs withB. canis was monitored by rectal temperature readings, clinical examinations and blood smears as well as PCR and IFA (indirect fluorescent antibody assay). For theEhrlichia canis study, another 16 dogs were allocated to two groups. Eight dogs were treated with the fipronil and permethrin combination on days 0 and 28 and eight dogs served as untreated controls.Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks, carrying an infection rate of 13 % forE. canis, were released in the sleeping kennels of the dogs on days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56. Ticks were countedin situ on the dogs on a weekly basis. All ticks were removed and counted on the final assessment day 58. Infection of the dogs withE. canis was monitored by rectal temperature, clinical examinations, and testing of blood samples by PCR, IFA and platelet counts. Results B. canis was transmitted byD. reticulatus ticks to all eight untreated control dogs and to one treated dog, which was confirmed by blood smears, PCR and IFA.E.canis was transmitted byR. sanguineus ticks to all eight untreated control dogs. Two of the dogs in the treated group were found positive based on PCR and/or IFA. Conclusions Frontline Tri-Act®/Frontect® significantly lowered the risk for dogs to acquire aB. canis infection by 87.5 % over a challenge period of 28 days. The risk for dogs to acquireE. canis was reduced by 75 % over a period of 56 days.