Efficacy of nitenpyram on the treatment of tungiasis in dogs from brazilian southern amazonic region

Abstract

Tungiasis is a zoonotic skin disease caused by the penetration of the female flea of Tunga penetrans into the skin of many mammal hosts. Among the hosts, domestic, synanthropic and sylvatic animals serve as reservoirs. However, the dogs are considered the main source of human infestation in rural and endemic communities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tungicidal efficacy of nitenpyram for the treatment of tungiasis caused by Tunga penetrans in naturally infested dogs from brazilian amazonic region. Twelve dogs presenting from three to fifty-three viable lesions received one dose of nitempyram. The animals received dosages according to the manufacture’s recommendation. The criteria used to determine the drug efficacy were the number of viable lesions after treatment. These were quantified at 3, 7- and 14-days post-treatment. According to the results, the efficacy of Nitempyram was 92,20%, 88,07% and 66,06% in the 3, 7 and 14-days post-treatment.