A single oral dose of fluralaner (Bravecto®) in dogs rapidly kills 100% of blood‐fed Phlebotomus perniciosus, a main visceral leishmaniasis vector, for at least 1 month after treatment. Issue 2 (26th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bongiorno, G.; Meyer, L.; Evans, A.; Lekouch, N.; Bianchi, R.; Khoury, C.; Chiummo, R.; Thomas, E.; Gradoni, L.
• Is Part Of: Medical and veterinary entomology. Volume 34:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 240
• Page End: 243
• Publication Date: 2019-11-26
• Subjects: Dog -- fluralaner -- insecticidal efficacy -- Phlebotomus perniciosus; Entomology -- Periodicals; Veterinary entomology -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.968
• DOI: 10.1111/mve.12420
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-283X

Abstract

Abstract: Dogs are the reservoir host of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae). Both subclinically‐infected and sick animals can be infectious to competent phlebotomine vectors. The degree and duration of insecticidal efficacy of an oral dose of fluralaner (Bravecto®; Merck Animal Health) was determined in dogs exposed to bites of Phlebotomus perniciosus (Diptera: Psychodidae), a main Mediterranean vector of VL. Twelve dogs allocated to two groups of six animals each were included in a parallel‐group designed, negative‐controlled, randomized, blinded, single‐centre efficacy study. Group 2 was treated with fluralaner on day 0, and sand‐fly exposure of both groups was performed on days 1, 28 and 84. Viability of blood‐fed females was assessed up to 96 h after exposure and efficacy was measured as the survival rate of specimens fed on Group 2 versus those fed on Group 1. A mortality of 100% was recorded at 24 h in females fed on Group 2 at both days 1 and 28. Significant insecticidal efficacy was still observed on day 84, with > 50% mortality recorded by 48 h post blood meal in Group 2. Fluralaner treatment of dogs represents a promising and affordable method for reducing the pool of infected vectors in endemic settings of zoonotic VL. Abstract : The degree and duration of insecticidal efficacy of an oral dose of fluralaner was determined in dogs exposed to bites of the Leishmania infantum vector Phlebotomus perniciosus Sand‐fly exposure of treated and control dogs was performed up to 84 days from treatment and viability of blood‐fed insects was assessed up to 96 h after biting A mortality of 100% was recorded in sand flies fed on treated dogs at both 1 and 28 days from treatment, and > 50% mortality was still observed on day 84