Abstract
BackgroundDogs worldwide are at risk of Babesia spp. infections. Preventive efficacy of lotilaner tablets (Credelio™, Elanco) against Babesia canis was evaluated in two studies.MethodsSixteen dogs in Study 1 and 12 dogs in Study 2, all seronegative and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negative for B. canis, were randomized to a sham-treated control group or a lotilaner (20–43 mg/kg) treatment group, administered on Day 0 (Study 1: n = 8/group; Study 2: n = 6/group). Dogs were each infested with 50 Dermacentor reticulatus, a percentage of which (Study 1: 8.0–30.0%; Study 2: 12.2%) were infected with B. canis, in Study 1 on Days 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28, and in Study 2 on Day 28. Ticks were removed and counted on Day 30 in Study 1, and Day 34 in Study 2. Blood was collected for Babesia detection via smear, PCR and immunofluorescence assay (IFA) in Study 1 on Day 2, then approximately weekly through Day 56, and in Study 2 at weekly intervals between Days 28 to 49, and on Days 63 and 91. Additional samples were collected from dogs with body temperature > 39.4 °C (measured three times weekly, from Days 7 to 56 in Study 1 and from Days 35 to 56 in Study 2) and positive for B. canis on blood smear. Dogs with confirmed infections were rescue-treated, removed from the study and, in Study 1, replaced.ResultsAcross both studies B. canis infection of ticks ranged between 8.0–30.0%. In Study 1, all control dogs were positive for B. canis on blood smear and PCR on Day 10 and IFA on Day 21; on Day 21 seven of eight replacement control dogs were B. canis-positive; no replacement dogs were B. canis-positive following tick removal on Day 30. In Study 2, all control dogs were B. canis-positive on Day 56. All lotilaner-treated dogs remained B. canis-negative at all assessments in both studies.ConclusionLotilaner efficacy was 100% in preventing establishment of B. canis infection, despite post-treatment challenge with infected ticks on Days 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28.
Highlights
Dogs worldwide are at risk of Babesia spp. infections
In Europe, the occurrence and spread of infection of dogs with Babesia canis is linked to the geographical distribution of the ornate dog tick, Dermacentor reticulatus [1]
Demonstration that an acaricide with efficacy against D. reticulatus acts with sufficient speed to prevent transmission of B. canis is an important consideration for optimizing protection of dogs against these pathogenic effects
Summary
Preventive efficacy of lotilaner tablets (CredelioTM, Elanco) against Babesia canis was evaluated in two studies. Favouring cool and wet climates, the distribution of D. reticulatus ranges from northern Portugal through the British Isles and Baltic countries into eastern Europe, including Balkan countries, and Russia [2,3,4,5]. Dogs in those widespread regions are at risk of contracting the infection, which can cause intravascular and extravascular hemolysis, resulting in anemia and thrombocytopenia, and clinical signs such as fever, lethargy and anorexia [1]. An investigation was undertaken in which dogs were challenged with infestations of B. canis-infected D. reticulatus
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