Abstract

BackgroundLutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of Leishmania infantum, the agent of canine and human visceral leishmaniosis in the Americas. Considering that the dog is the main domestic host of the parasite, repellent treatment is a measure that might contribute to the prevention of canine visceral leishmaniosis. The repellent efficacy of a single treatment of a new spot-on topical combination of fipronil and permethrin (Frontline Tri-Act®, Merial, now part of Boehringer-Ingelheim) to repel Lu. longipalpis sand flies was evaluated.MethodsSixteen healthy Beagle dogs, eight females and eight males, weighing 8.4–14.4 kg, and 2 to 4 years-old were included in the study. Animals were blocked on decreasing body weight and randomly allocated within the blocks to one of two treatment groups of eight animals each. Dogs in Group 1 were untreated and Dogs in Group 2 were treated with a combination containing 67.6 mg/ml fipronil + 504.8 mg/ml permethrin (Frontline Tri-Act®) once on Day 0. Sand fly exposures were performed on Days 1, 14, 21 and 30 with Lu. longipalpis female sand flies. After 65 (± 15 min), sand flies were assessed for engorgement status.ResultsThe percent repellency of the treated group compared to the untreated control group was 95.7, 94.3, 81.7 and 72.2% for exposure days 1, 14, 21 and 30, respectively. The two treatment groups were significantly different for all exposure days (P ≤ 0.016 for days 1, 14, 21 and 30). No adverse reactions were observed during the study.ConclusionA single topical administration of a new combination of fipronil and permethrin demonstrated a significant repellent effect against Lu. longipalpis bites as soon as it was applied on the dogs and its repellent efficacy lasted for 4 weeks with results greater than 80% for 3 weeks. The results suggest that in endemic areas the regular application of the new combination could contribute to protect dogs from Leishmania infection and therefore serve as an additional tool for the prevention of canine visceral leishmaniosis.

Highlights

  • Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of Leishmania infantum, the agent of canine and human visceral leishmaniosis in the Americas

  • This paper reports the results of a study conducted in Brazil assessing the repellent efficacy of a new spot-on topical combination of fipronil and permethrin (Frontline TriAct®, Merial, part of Boehringer-Ingelheim) against the main vector of human and canine Visceral leishmaniosis (VL) in the Americas, Lu. longipalpis

  • No health abnormalities were observed on the animals after treatment during the whole period of the study, including observations conducted for 4 h immediately after treatment

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Summary

Introduction

Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of Leishmania infantum, the agent of canine and human visceral leishmaniosis in the Americas. Considering that the dog is the main domestic host of the parasite, repellent treatment is a measure that might contribute to the prevention of canine visceral leishmaniosis. Visceral leishmaniosis (VL) is a zoonotic protozoan vectorborne disease that affects humans, canine and other mammalian species. A total of 48,720 human VL cases have been reported in the Americas from 2001 to 2014 with an annual mean of 3480 cases. Most of these cases (46,976; 96.42%) have been reported in Brazil including 3690 human deaths from 2000 to 2015 [5]

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