Abstract
Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are mosquito-borne pathogens responsible for dirofilariasis in humans and animals. Their transmission and spread depend on the activity of vectors and the frequency of hosts in a given area. Here, we investigated the efficacy of a monthly multimodal prophylactic (MMP) strategy against canine dirofilariasis on Corsica Island (France). The study was conducted as evidence of an efficacy trial in which eighty dogs were divided into two groups: (i) one test group consisted of 25 dogs under the MMP [per-os administration of 1.5 tablets of milbemycin-oxime-praziquantel (Milbactor®) and a topical line-on application of a 3.6 mL solution of dinotefuran-permethrin-pyriproxyfen (Vectra® 3D)] and (ii) a control group under different real-life prophylactic treatments (RLP) based on the use of ectoparasiticides (different formulations: deltamethrin, fluralaner, fipronil) and/or macrocyclic lactone-based products (milbemycin-oxime/praziquantel, milbemycin-oxime, moxidectin) during the period from June to October 2017. All animals were followed up for one year, with blood collected at day 0, with follow-up at 6 and 12 months. Samples were tested for Dirofilaria spp. by species-specific qPCR. At the end of the study, no new case of Dirofilaria spp. infection was detected in the test group. However, the cumulative incidence of Dirofilaria spp. infection was 16.4% (n = 9; p = 0.027) in the control group. The data illustrate that, in contrast to RLP treatment, which failed to protect at least 16.4% of dogs, the MMP based on the simultaneous administration of milbemycin oxime-praziquantel and dinotefuran-permethrin-pyriproxyfen efficiently protects dogs in a high-risk area from Dirofilaria spp. infection.
Highlights
Epidemiological studies indicate the continuous spread of Dirofilaria spp. in human and canine populations, especially in Europe, where endemicity and sympatric occurrence have already been reported
At day 180 of follow-up, no new cases of Dirofilaria spp. infection were detected in the studied dogs from both the test (n = 25) and control (n = 55) group
The present study demonstrates the field efficacy of consistent administration of larvicidal plus vector-preventive products as multimodal prophylactic (MMP)
Summary
Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are nematodes of tissues and cavities responsible for cardiopulmonary and subcutaneous and/or subcutaneous/ocular dirofilariasis in canids and humans, respectively [1]. These heteroxenous parasites produce blood-dwelling microfilariae, which are assumed by blood-feeding vectors Go through two stages to reach the infective stage (L3), which can be transmitted to a new receptive host. These parasites appear to be associated with an episystem complex involving multiple factors such as temperature, movement and abundance of Parasitologia 2021, 1, 130–136.
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